Taraba Gov Bemoans Over 20,000 Residents’ Participation in Illegal Mining

General Jeremiah Faransa (Ret. ), the chairman of the Taraba State Task Force Committee, has expressed regret over the involvement of more than 20,000 state residents in illicit mining and deforestation.

The state administration would not let its guard down in the fight against illegal miners and those determined to commit acts of deforestation throughout the state, he added, noting that over 100 ring leaders and foreigners have been detained.

The taskforce team that the Taraba government established in response to the ban on illegal mining and deforestation invaded the illegal miners’ camp without warning.

When the team arrived, they found some of the illegal miners’ homemade shanties and locally made weapons, which they suspect were being used for kidnapping and other banditry crimes.

The task force team ignited all equipment and temporary structures at the mining site in accordance with the state governor’s orders to destroy anything discovered there.

Some of the illegal miners who were apprehended on the scene begged for forgiveness while claiming they were unaware of the state government’s ban.

“I’m from Adamawa State, and what specifically drew me here is mining. I’ve been here for a month and a half. Even though the chairman has escaped, my uncle ordered me here to serve as the secretary, Usman Abubakar, one of the illegal miners, said.

I’m a native of Kaduna State, Nasiru Adamu, who provides sacks to the illegal miners, declared. My acquaintance tricked me into providing sacks for the transport of mineral resources worth 800,000 naira while I was operating a business in Oyo State. I have already been here for two months.

The task force committee chairman and his colleagues are present to provide an update on the team’s progress towards completing its mission.

The task force’s chairman claims that research indicates mining operations pose a significant risk and serve as a haven for banditry.

Faransa also revealed that 22,275 kilogrammes of blue sapphire were seized by the task squad.

He pleaded with the legitimate miners and investors to hold off on further engagements until the governor issued fresh instructions.