Published by Osasere Edomwonyi Ikpoba
Taraba State Governor, Dr Agbu Kefas, has approved the immediate dissolution of all existing anti-illegal mining committees and task forces across the state, replacing them with a newly constituted eight-man task force mandated to intensify the fight against illegal mining and environmental degradation. The sweeping restructuring, announced on Saturday, September 5, 2026, in a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Gebon Timothy Kataps, is part of the governor's broader strategy to strengthen enforcement and what the government described as ending years of weak regulation and environmental destruction.
The new task force, which will operate under a direct mandate to enforce environmental laws and protect the state's forests and natural resources, is headed by Major A. M. Ghali as Commander, with Captain K. R. Odenusi serving as second-in-command. Other members of the team include ASP Ishaku Daniel, Iziogo Philip, Olakunde D., Kabiru Musa, Zibai Ayuba, and Suleiman Daniel. The task force will be supported by operational personnel drawn from key security agencies to carry out raids, arrests, and enforcement operations across the state.
The government's directive was unequivocal: all existing committees, task forces, or similar bodies previously constituted to address illegal mining, environmental protection, or related matters stand dissolved with immediate effect. The newly constituted team will consequently assume full responsibility for enforcing the state's directives on illegal mining and environmental protection. According to the statement, the task force is expected to work in collaboration with the mobile court established under existing executive orders and submit periodic reports through the Office of the Secretary to the State Government.
The dissolution of the old committees and the constitution of a new task force come amid intensified government action against illegal mining in Taraba State. Governor Kefas had earlier suspended mining activities across Taraba over security concerns, while subsequent enforcement operations led to arrests and the dispersal of hundreds of illegal miners. On September 4, 2026, just a day before the announcement of the new task force, an alleged illegal gold and diamond mining site at Garin Jatau, near Iware in Ardo-Kola Local Government Area, was shut down during an enforcement operation, with three suspects reportedly remanded.
In recent months, the state government has sealed several illegal mining sites across the state. Last week, a mobile court sealed an illegal gold and diamond mining site in Ardo-Kola Local Government Area. Similarly, in August, the same task force closed another illegal gold mining site at Mayo-Kam in Bali Local Government Area. However, illegal mining activities have reportedly continued in some areas, prompting the governor to take the decisive step of restructuring the enforcement architecture.
The new task force is expected to operate with a high level of professionalism and accountability. Its core responsibilities include curbing illegal mining activities, checking deforestation and forest degradation, ensuring compliance with environmental laws and regulations, and protecting the state's forests and natural resources. The government has made it clear that the task force will work directly with the mobile court already established under existing executive orders, ensuring that offenders are swiftly prosecuted and penalised.
The development marks a significant shift in the state's approach to tackling illegal mining, which has been a major source of environmental degradation and revenue loss for Taraba State. Illegal mining activities have not only destroyed forests and natural resources but have also posed serious security challenges, with criminal elements exploiting the unregulated mining sector to fund their operations. Governor Kefas's decision to dissolve all existing committees and constitute a new task force reflects his administration's determination to address these challenges head-on and restore order to the mining sector.
With the new task force now in place, the state government says it is moving from policy to direct enforcement. The team has been given a clear mandate and the necessary support to carry out its assignment effectively. The government has also assured the public that the task force will operate with transparency and accountability, submitting periodic reports on its activities through the Office of the Secretary to the State Government.
For the people of Taraba State, the dissolution of the old committees and the constitution of a new task force represent a renewed hope that the government is serious about tackling illegal mining and protecting the state's environment. The new task force, with its blend of military and law enforcement personnel, is expected to bring a new level of professionalism and effectiveness to the fight against illegal mining. As the government intensifies its efforts to curb the menace, the success of the new task force will depend on its ability to enforce the law, secure convictions through the mobile court, and ultimately deter illegal miners from continuing their destructive activities.
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