Troops from the 6 Brigade stationed at Garba Chede Checkpoint in Bali Local Government Area have arrested nine illegal miners and confiscated precious stones being smuggled out of the area. Acting on credible intelligence, the soldiers intercepted a truck with a foreign registration number, B 0515 VV, on 17 December. The vehicle was found concealing illegally mined materials.
According to a statement by the Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for the 6 Brigade, Olubodunde Oni, the precious stones were hidden in sacks covered with dry grasses to avoid detection. He highlighted that the operation aligns with the Nigerian Army’s commitment to safeguarding national resources and ensuring adherence to environmental laws.
The driver, Abubakar Suleiman, and eight other occupants of the truck were immediately detained. Following established procedures, the suspects and the confiscated materials were handed over to the Taraba State Special Taskforce Committee on Environmental Protection, Public Safety, and Prohibition of Deforestation for further investigation and prosecution.
Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, the Commander of the 6 Brigade, reaffirmed the army’s determination to support civil authorities in enforcing environmental laws and protecting the lives and properties of Nigerians. He praised the residents of Taraba State for their ongoing cooperation and encouraged citizens to report suspicious activities to security agencies for swift action.
Illegal mining remains a widespread issue across Nigeria, with experts linking it to rising insecurity, including banditry in the northern regions. Efforts like these aim to curb such activities and promote a safer, more sustainable environment.