The Taraba State Mobile Court on Environmental Protection, Public Safety and Prohibition of Deforestation has sealed an illegal gold and diamond mining site in Ardo Kola Local Government Area.
The affected site is located in Garin Jatau village, a community on the outskirts of Iware.
The enforcement operation was carried out on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, following intelligence received by the authorities concerning unregulated mining activities in the area.
The action forms part of the Taraba State Government’s continuing campaign against illegal mineral extraction and the environmental damage associated with unregulated mining.
Authorities said unauthorised mining activities could expose communities to land degradation, water contamination, unsafe excavations and other environmental and public-safety risks.
The state government has intensified enforcement against illegal miners following repeated reports of unlicensed gold, sapphire and other mineral extraction across several local government areas.
Governor Agbu Kefas has issued multiple executive directives aimed at regulating mining, protecting host communities and ensuring that Taraba’s mineral resources contribute to legitimate economic development.
The government maintains that its enforcement efforts are directed at illegal operators rather than individuals and companies holding valid mining licences and complying with applicable regulations.
In August 2026, the state’s anti-illegal mining task force announced the arrest of 50 suspected operators and the dispersal of more than 500 miners from Gantu in Mayo Kam, Bali Local Government Area.
Mining equipment was also reportedly confiscated during enforcement operations, while security personnel were deployed to prevent operators from returning to cleared sites.
Despite repeated interventions, illegal mining remains a major challenge in Taraba, driven by the commercial value of gold, sapphire and other solid minerals found across the state.
Remote mining locations, difficult terrain, weak regulatory enforcement and organised mineral-trading networks have made sustained monitoring challenging.
There have also been concerns that indiscriminate mining deprives government and host communities of revenue while leaving residents to deal with environmental destruction and abandoned excavation pits.
The sealing of the Garin Jatau site sends a warning that mining operations must obtain the necessary authorisation and comply with environmental and public-safety requirements.
Authorities are expected to continue monitoring the location to prevent the resumption of unauthorised activities.
The state government has also been urged to combine enforcement with clearer licensing procedures, support for legitimate artisanal miners and stronger environmental-restoration measures.
