The Taraba State Government has dissolved all existing committees and task forces established to tackle illegal mining across the state and constituted a new team to strengthen enforcement.
The Secretary to the Government of the State (SGS), Gebon Kataps, announced the decision in a statement issued on Saturday.
Kataps said the newly constituted task force would intensify the enforcement of measures against unauthorised mining activities while protecting the state’s forests, environment and other natural resources.
He added that the team would also ensure compliance with relevant environmental laws and regulations.
According to the statement, Army Major A.M. Ghali will serve as commander of the task force, while Army Captain K.R. Odenusi will be the second-in-command.
Other members of the team are Ishaku Daniel, Iziogo Philip, Olakunle D., Kabiru Musa, Zibai Ayuba and Suleiman Daniel.
The task force will receive operational support from relevant security agencies and collaborate with the mobile court established under the state’s existing executive orders.
It is also expected to submit periodic reports on its activities through the office of the SGS.
The restructuring comes as the Governor Agbu Kefas administration intensifies efforts to curb illegal mining, which has remained a persistent challenge in several parts of the state despite previous enforcement measures.
Illegal mining has raised concerns in Taraba over environmental degradation, loss of potential government revenue and the difficulties associated with regulating mining activities across remote locations.
In July, PREMIUM TIMES reported that illegal mining was depriving the state of billions of naira annually despite executive orders and other measures introduced to tackle the practice.
Gantu in Bali Local Government Area has been one of the areas where authorities have intensified enforcement.
In July, the state Anti-Illegal Mining Task Force raided a gold-mining site at Mayo Kam in Gantu following intelligence gathering, arresting two suspected illegal miners and recovering mining equipment.
The operation continued in August when the state government announced the arrest of 50 suspected illegal miners and the dispersal of more than 500 others in Gantu.
Authorities also said mining equipment was confiscated during the operation, while 24 suspected miners were returned to Zamfara State.
Despite these operations, illegal mining continues to pose a challenge in the state, partly because of Taraba’s extensive mineral deposits and the number of mining sites spread across difficult-to-access areas.
Unregulated mining can contribute to deforestation, destruction of vegetation and farmland, as well as the degradation of water sources.
The state government has previously introduced executive orders and other enforcement mechanisms aimed at regulating mining and protecting the environment.
The latest task force is expected to strengthen coordination among security agencies and environmental authorities while improving monitoring and enforcement across mining locations.
Kataps said the new task force would commence operations immediately.
The government also urged relevant stakeholders to cooperate with the team and provide useful information that could assist in identifying illegal mining operations and other activities threatening the state’s forests and natural resources.
