In Garba Chede town of Bali local government council in Taraba State, the operatives of the Taraba State Special Taskforce Committee intercepted a trailer carrying 369 bags of iron monazite.
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The intercepted items, valued at over N20 million, were found in a trailer with the registration number KWM 427 XA from Gombe State.
The trailer had loaded the iron monazite from Serti, the administrative headquarters of the Gashaka local government council.
The special taskforce committee, during their intensive patrol in the central zone of the state, apprehended the trailer.
The Chairman of the taskforce, retired General Jeremiah Aliyu Faransa, expressed the committee’s unwavering commitment to their duties, emphasizing the importance of actions that benefit the state.
Iron monazite is a mineral resource used in the production of advanced weaponry and aircraft components.
The arrested individuals involved in the illegal transportation of the iron monazite are Abdulrahaman Nuhu (30), Abdulmaleek Zubairu (28), Abdullahi Khalil (25), Musa Bawa Galadima (38), Mohammed Abubakar (32), Ayuba Musa (22), and Abubakar Abba Hashim (25).
The state government established the special taskforce committee due to the significant revenue loss caused by illegal mining activities.
Governor Agbu Kefas implemented Executive Order 5 to address the issue and regulate the activities of miners in the state.
