Taraba Task Force Shuts Down Illegal Mining Site, Vows Tougher Action

(Security Operatives. Photo Credit: Business Times)

The Commander of Taraba State’s Anti-Illegal Mining Task Force has declared that the force’s operations are aimed at eliminating illegal mining activities rather than engaging miners in negotiations.

Jamu Emmanuel Lyon made this statement on Wednesday whilst leading a raid on the Gangtu mining site in Bali Local Government Area.

The operation resulted in illegal miners abandoning the location as a joint security team moved in to dismantle operations at the site.

Lyon stated that the task force is committed to shutting down all illegal mining activities, emphasising that the operations destroy rivers, damage farmlands, and deprive the state of resources.

The raid, conducted by a heavily armed security contingent, involved demolition of makeshift structures and crude shelters used by the miners.

The operation was based on actionable intelligence gathered through sustained surveillance, which revealed that illegal mining had resumed at Gangtu despite previous government warnings, closure directives, and two earlier enforcement actions at the same location.

Lyon stressed that the task force would maintain an unambiguous stance on its mandate to eliminate such activities across the state.

Following the demolition exercise, a security presence comprising personnel from the Nigerian Police Force, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and local hunters was stationed at the site to establish a forward operating base.

Lyon confirmed that the security team would maintain round-the-clock vigilance, conduct regular patrols, and prevent miners from returning to the location.

He called on community members to support security efforts by reporting suspicious activities in their areas.