Retired General Jeremiah Aliyu Faransa, Chairman of the Special Taskforce Committee on Environmental Protection, Public Safety and Prohibition of Deforestation, has taken decisive action against illegal mining activities in Taraba State.
In a bold move, General Faransa set fire to a mining camp in Akwana village, located in the Wukari Local Government Area.
This action follows the recent issuance of an Executive Order by Governor Agbu Kefas, which bans all mining activities in the state.
The Executive Order aims to curb environmental degradation and protect public safety. Despite repeated warnings, the mining camp in Akwana village continued to operate illegally.
Over the weekend, General Faransa followed through on his threats to enforce the Executive Order.
He led the operation to burn down the illegal mining camp, emphasizing that any mining activities defying the Governor’s directive would face similar consequences.
“Despite several warnings, the illegal miners in the area refused to adhere to the Executive Order issued by His Excellency Governor Agbu Kefas. I will not hesitate to set ablaze any mining camp that defies the Executive Order in the best interest of the state,” General Faransa stated.
In addition to destroying the camp, the taskforce arrested three individuals suspected of illegal mining activities.
General Faransa confirmed that these suspects would be prosecuted in the Special Mobile Court on Environmental Protection, Public Safety, and Prohibition of Deforestation.
The arrests and subsequent prosecutions are part of the broader effort to enforce environmental protection laws and ensure public safety in Taraba State.
