Operatives of the Special Taskforce Committee on Environmental Protection, Public Safety, and Prohibition of Deforestation have apprehended two Chinese nationals in Taraba State.
The apprehended Chinese were said to have been caught when heading to a recently discovered mineral deposits site in Serti, the administrative headquarters of Gashaka local government council of the state.
The suspects who were identified as Mr Ma Weixiang and Mr Yu Renang, were also said to have been transporting heavy power plants and water pumps intended for use at the mineral deposits site, when they ran out of luck.
The Chairman of the Taskforce, retired General Jeremiah Faransa, who disclosed the development on Friday in Jalingo, the state capital, said the suspects’ actions were clear violation of the Executive Order suspending mining activities in the state.
Their arrest, according to him, followed intelligence gathered by the special taskforce during aerial surveillance across the central zone of the state,.
He reiterated his commitment to enforcing the Executive Order.
“I have vowed that if anyone is caught in the act, I will not hesitate to deal with any culprit, regardless of their status.
“If anyone thinks they’re above the law, I will teach so many people lessons on respecting government orders,” he said.
Highlighting Governor Agbu Kefas’ intentions for the state, he urged citizens to cooperate with the government.
Pointing out the need for attitudinal changes to curb revenue loss, he said, “People still think that Kefas’ administration will be like the past. What miracle do you want the governor to perform if we don’t address these issues?”
Items seized from the arrested Chinese nationals include water pumps and trucks being used to convey power plants.
Faranaa said the suspects and the items will be presented before a special mobile court in Jalingo for prosecution.
