By Andrew Ojih, Jalingo.
The Taraba state Anti-Illegal Mining Taskforce on Thursday disclosed that the force has has repatriated scores of illegal miners from Taraba to Sokoto, Gombe, Bauchi Niger and Zamfara state respectively.
The Chairman of the Anti-Illegal Mining Task Force, SP Jamu Emmanuel while speaking to journalists via telephone conversation in Jalingo hinted that operatives successfully intercepted and repatriated scores of illegal miners who came from Bauchi, Gombe, Zamfara, and other neighboring states.
“This decisive action was taken to avert any potential security breaches and safeguard the peace and stability of Taraba state” he said.
He maintained that the Taskforce remained unwavering in its mandate to rid the state of all forms of illegal mining activities which have been linked to rising insecurity, environmental degradation, and economic sabotage.
“Allowing these illegal miners to continue with their activities within the state would bring back insecurity that will at end be risky to the whole state.
And government would not seat and fold its hands and allow outsiders troops in to disrupt public peace in the state ” he noted.
He added that in recent operations, the taskforce arrested over 50 suspects, dispersed more than 500 illegal miners in the Gantu area of Bali LGA, and specifically returned 24 individuals to Zamfara, Niger, Yobe, and the Federal Capital Territory.
He hinted that Force team will continue to crackdown on unauthorized mining activities and not to negotiate with them.
He warned that any individual or group found engaging in illegal mining would face the full consequences of the law.
He informed that the taskforce continues to collaborate with security agencies to ensure comprehensive enforcement across all local government areas in state.