Taraba Mobile Court Seizes Vehicle Carrying Allegedly Illegal Solid Minerals, Warns Offenders

Authorities in Taraba State have intensified efforts to tackle illegal mining after a mobile court impounded a Toyota Yaris allegedly used to transport illegally mined solid minerals during an enforcement operation.

The seizure was carried out by the Taraba State Mobile Court on Environmental Protection and Public Safety during routine patrols in the early hours of Friday. Officials said the minerals, identified in the report as monoxide, were allegedly extracted from the Dakka axis of Bali Local Government Area.

The operation formed part of the enforcement of Executive Order No. 5 of 2023 on Environmental Protection and Public Safety, which seeks to curb environmental degradation and illegal exploitation of natural resources across the state.

According to the authorities, both the vehicle and the seized minerals have been taken into official custody pending further legal proceedings in line with the provisions of the executive order.

The mobile court warned motorists, transporters and individuals involved in the illegal mining or transportation of solid minerals to immediately stop such activities, stressing that violators would face arrest and prosecution.

Officials also reaffirmed the Taraba State Government’s commitment to protecting the environment and preserving the state’s natural resources through strict enforcement of existing laws.

The court said enforcement operations would continue in different parts of the state to clamp down on illegal mining and other activities considered harmful to the environment and public safety.

The latest operation underscores the government’s renewed drive to strengthen compliance with environmental regulations while discouraging the unlawful exploitation and movement of solid minerals within Taraba State