Task Force Intercepts 4 Buses, Arrests 14 Suspected Illegal Miners In Taraba

The Taraba State Task Force on Anti-Illegal Mining has intercepted four Toyota Hummer buses conveying suspected illegal miners from Zamfara State and separately arrested 14 others from Bauchi and Gombe States over alleged unauthorised mining activities.

The chairman of the task force, SP Emmanuel Jamu, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Jalingo on Sunday.

SP Jamu said the suspects were intercepted following credible intelligence, while allegedly heading to an illegal mining site in Gangtu village in Bali Local Government Area of the state.

He said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects had travelled from Bauchi, Gombe and Zamfara states to Taraba to engage in unauthorised mining operations.

According to the statement, the four Toyota Hummer buses were fully loaded with suspected illegal miners from Zamfara State at the time they were intercepted.

“The suspects travelled to Taraba State to carry out unauthorised mining operations within the state,” the statement said.

SP Jamu added, the suspects were currently in custody and would be handed over to the Taraba State Police Command for further investigation and necessary action before being returned to their respective states of origin.

The task force chairman reiterated the commitment of the operatives to rid the state of illegal mining and dismantle criminal networks involved in the unlawful exploitation of its natural resources.

He warned that individuals and groups found engaging in illegal mining would face the full weight of the law.

“We are here to send a clear message: they can run today, but they cannot run forever. They will face the full weight of the law,” Jamu said.

He urged residents to continue to provide credible information that could assist security agencies and relevant authorities in protecting the state’s natural resources and curbing illegal mining activities.

SP Jamu added that the task force would sustain its operations across the state to identify and dismantle illegal mining networks.