Six trucks carrying illegally mined fluoride and lithium were apprehended and confiscated by the Taraba State Government in coordination with the Nigerian Army.
The aforementioned mineral riches were discovered in the Akwana hamlet of the state’s Wukari Local Government Area and were being transported to Port Harcourt and Enugu when the vehicles transporting them were seized.
Briefing journalists shortly after the interception, the Chairman, Taraba Task Force Committee on Illegal Mining and Deforestation, Jeremiah Faransa, said the government won’t relent despite the ban on illegal mining and deforestation.
When the trucks were intercepted, the drivers were claimed to have abandoned them and taken to their heels.
The trucks have been turned over to the mobile court, which has been set up to try defaulters.
Faransa narrated that a week ago, the Task Force team were in same Akwana community where they arrested seven illegal miners with some in possession of explosives.
He said, “Security is a collective responsibility and this (interception) was as a result of collaboration between the special taskforce team and the military strike force.”
Faransa said the trucks were moved to Jalingo, the state capital, from where they were intercepted after the drivers took to their heels.
”Whoever is involved in this dastard act will be dealt with severely and we will be handing over these trucks to the mobile court for prosecution.
”Akwana is notorious for illegal mining and their is no amount of efforts we have not put to adhere to the ban directive but they are defiant, however we will change our strategy to ensure sanity,” he added.