Taraba Taskforce Chief Reveals Mining Violations, Calls for Urgent Environmental Action

The Chairman of the Taraba State Special Taskforce Committee on Environmental Protection, Public Safety, and Prohibition of Deforestation, retired General Jeremiah A. Faransa, has disclosed that nearly half of the mining companies operating in the state are breaching regulations.

Speaking to journalists in Jalingo on Wednesday, Faransa revealed that many companies have expired licenses or are behind on required fee payments.

He also highlighted the severe environmental damage caused by illegal mining activities, stating that the taskforce has made numerous arrests to curb these operations.

Among those detained are foreign nationals from Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, and China, who were apprehended for illegal mining practices.

“The Special Taskforce has made several arrests, including foreigners from Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, and China. We will leave no stone unturned until these illegal operations are dismantled in the state,” Faransa stated.

While he did not provide specific figures on the arrests, Faransa confirmed that detainees have been handed over to the mobile taskforce court for prosecution.

Expressing concern over the extensive environmental destruction left by illegal miners, Faransa called on the state government to launch an urgent tree-planting campaign to combat desert encroachment.

“If that is not done, in the next five years, the state will face severe desertification,” he warned.