Taraba Taskforce Raids Illegal Mining Site, Arrests Two

Taraba’s anti-illegal mining taskforce has arrested two suspects after a raid on a remote mining site in Bali Local Government Area.

The taskforce chairman, Emmanuel Jamu, said the operation followed weeks of intelligence gathering. Security operatives had to move through difficult terrain to reach the site.

Most of the suspected illegal miners fled into nearby forests before the team arrived, but two suspects were arrested while trying to escape.

The taskforce said it recovered equipment allegedly used for illegal mining, including pumping machines, digging tools, generators and mineral-processing materials.

Jamu said the suspects were in custody and that the taskforce would continue operations in other high-risk areas. He also asked traditional rulers and community leaders to provide credible information on suspects still at large.

Taraba suspended mining activities across the state on June 19 over security concerns before setting up the taskforce to enforce the order.

Sources: Vanguard, Premium Times