The Taraba State Anti-Illegal Mining Taskforce has arrested two suspected illegal miners during a raid on a gold mining site at Mayo Kam, Gantu village in Bali Local Government Area of the state.

Chairman of the taskforce, Emmanuel Jamu, disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists in Jalingo, saying the operation was carried out after weeks of intelligence gathering.

According to him, security personnel navigated difficult terrain to access the remote mining location. However, most of the suspected illegal miners escaped into nearby forests before the operatives arrived.

Jamu said two suspects were apprehended while attempting to flee the scene.

He added that the taskforce recovered several items allegedly used for illegal mining activities, including pumping machines, generators, digging equipment and materials used for mineral processing.

The taskforce chairman warned that the operation against illegal mining would continue until those involved were brought to justice.

“We want to send a clear message. Whether they are there or not, we will keep trying. They can run today, but they cannot run forever. They will face the full weight of the law,” he said.

Jamu also appealed to traditional rulers and community leaders to support the taskforce by providing credible intelligence that could assist in tracking down other suspects still at large.

He confirmed that the two arrested suspects remain in custody, adding that similar enforcement operations would be extended to other identified illegal mining hotspots across the state.

The crackdown follows the Taraba State Government’s decision on June 19 to suspend all mining activities across the state over security concerns.

The government subsequently established the Anti-Illegal Mining Taskforce to enforce the directive.