Troops of the 6 Brigade of the The Nigerian Army has apprehended a group of illegal miners in Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Acting Assistant Director of 6 Brigade Army Public Relations, Captain Olubodunde Oni.
The statement says during the operation, the troops seized suspected precious stones being transported out of the area.
The statement explains that the vigilant troops on 17 December intercepted a truck with a foreign registration number B 0515 VV, which was found to be concealing illegally mined products.
It adds that the suspected precious stones were hidden in sack bags covered with dry grasses in a bid to evade detection.
According to the statement the driver of the truck, identified as Abubakar Suleiman, along with eight other occupants, was immediately taken into custody and handed over to the Taraba State Special Taskforce Committee on Environmental Protection, Public Safety, and Prohibition of Deforestation for further investigation and prosecution.
The statement stresses that the Commander 6 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa pledges commitment towards supporting civil authorities to enforce environmental regulations to ensure the safety of lives and property.
It commends the good people of Taraba for their continued support and urges citizens to report any suspicious activities to security agencies for prompt action.
“Together, we can foster a safer and more sustainable environment in Taraba State and beyond.”
