Oluwanifemi Ibikunle
Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, has dissolved all existing anti-illegal mining committees in the state and ordered the immediate constitution of an eight-member task force to intensify the crackdown on illegal mining and environmental degradation.
The development, announced on Saturday, comes amid heightened government efforts to halt unauthorised mining activities, forest destruction and other environmental abuses across the state.
The new task force, according to a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Gebon Kataps, is expected to enforce the state government’s directives against illegal mining and ensure compliance with measures aimed at protecting Taraba’s forests and natural resources.
The task force will be headed by Major A.M. Ghali as Commander, while Captain K.R. Odenusi will serve as second-in-command.
Other members are ASP Ishaku Daniel, Iziogo Philip, Olakunde D., Kabiru Musa, Zibai Ayuba and Suleiman Daniel.
The government said the task force would be supported by operational personnel drawn from relevant security agencies to strengthen enforcement across mining locations in the state.
It added that the new body would work in conjunction with the mobile court established under existing executive orders to prosecute violations and ensure that offenders face appropriate legal consequences.
The task force is also expected to submit periodic reports on its activities through the office of the Secretary to the State Government.
The latest measure is part of the Kefas administration’s broader response to the security and environmental challenges associated with illegal mining in Taraba.
The governor had earlier suspended mining activities across the state following security concerns linked to mining operations.
Subsequent enforcement operations reportedly resulted in the arrest of suspected illegal miners and the dispersal of hundreds of people involved in unauthorised mining activities.
The government’s renewed approach places greater emphasis on security-led enforcement, environmental protection and legal action against operators who violate its directives.
Illegal mining has remained a major concern in several parts of Nigeria, with authorities and environmental stakeholders warning that uncontrolled mining can contribute to forest degradation, pollution of water sources and other forms of environmental damage.
With the constitution of the new task force, the Taraba State Government is expected to step up surveillance of mining areas and strengthen enforcement of its restrictions on illegal mining across the state.
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