- The mining camp is in Akwana village, Wukari Local Government
The Chairman of the Special Taskforce Committee on Environmental Protection, Public Safety and Prohibition of Deforestation, retired General Jeremiah Aliyu Faransa, has set fire to a mining camp in Taraba State.
Governor Agbu Kefas recently issued an Executive Order banning all mining activities in the state. Over the weekend, General Faransa carried out his threat by burning down a mining camp in Akwana village, Wukari Local Government Area.
The retired general stated that the camp had been operating illegally despite numerous warnings.
“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,” he said.
The taskforce also arrested three individuals suspected of illegal mining at the camp. Faransa confirmed that the suspects will face prosecution in the Special Mobile Court on Environmental Protection, Public Safety and Prohibition of Deforestation.