General Jeremiah Aliyu Faransa Threatens to Destroy Mining Camps in Taraba; Executes Threat by Burning Camp in Akwana Village

Retired General Jeremiah Aliyu Faransa, Chairman of the Special Taskforce Committee on Environmental Protection, Public Safety, and Prohibition of Deforestation, has threatened to set fire to illegal mining camps in Taraba State.

This action follows Governor Agbu Kefas’s Executive Order banning all mining activities in the state. Over the weekend, Faransa made good on his threat by setting fire to a mining camp in Akwana village, Wukari Local Government Area.

Faransa stated that the camp had continued operations unlawfully despite multiple warnings.

“Despite repeated warnings, the illegal miners in the area have ignored the Executive Order issued by Governor Agbu Kefas. I will not hesitate to destroy any mining camp that defies this order in the interest of the state,” he declared.

The taskforce also apprehended three suspected miners at the camp. Faransa confirmed that the suspects will be prosecuted before the Special Mobile Court on Environmental Protection, Public Safety, and Prohibition of Deforestation.