Illegal miners operating in Gangtu village, in Bali Local Government Council of Taraba State, have once again fled their mining site ahead of a raid by the Anti-Illegal Mining Task Force.
The task force, led by Chairman Jamu Emmanuel Lyon, said the repeated abandonment of mining locations by suspected illegal miners shows that sustained surveillance and operations are putting pressure on unauthorized operators across the state.
Jamu disclosed this over the weekend after he and his team returned to Gangtu village following intelligence reports that illegal mining activities had resumed in the area despite previous warnings.
According to him, operatives moved swiftly to the location but discovered that the miners had already escaped, leaving behind equipment and fleeing into nearby bushes, allegedly after receiving information about the planned operation.
Although no arrests were made during the exercise, the task force chairman described the development as a positive indication that illegal miners were becoming increasingly aware of the security pressure against their activities.
“This is the second time in two weeks that we have stormed this location, and each time, we find that the illegal miners have taken to their heels,” Jamu said.
“Though we did not make any arrests today, we are not discouraged. This cat-and-mouse game will not deter us. We are more determined than ever to rid Taraba State of the scourge of illegal mining.”
He added that the task force was strengthening intelligence gathering in Gangtu and other identified mining hotspots across the state, while plans were underway to deploy
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