Taskforce intercepts charcoal laden trucks in Taraba

Taraba State Special Taskforce Committee on Environmental Protection, Public Safety, and Prohibition of Deforestation has again intercepted trucks loaded with charcoals.

The trucks, which were intercepted on Monday night, were said to be en route to an unknown destination.

He also announced that two soldiers escorting the trucks conveying the prohibited substance were arrested by the taskforce.

Answering questions from journalists, the chairman of the taskforce, retired general Jeremiah Aliyu Faransa, revealed that he initiated the patrol himself, prompted by concerns over ongoing violations of Governor Agbu Kefas’ executive order suspending certain activities in the state.

“I decided to go out for a patrol last night with only my backman, given the disregard for the governor’s directives.

During the patrol, I stopped the trucks I found suspicious and, upon inspection, discovered they were loaded with charcoal and escorted by two military personnel. I immediately impounded the vehicles,” Faransa stated.

The retired general expressed confusion over continued illegal activities in the state despite the governor’s order, which includes a suspension of mining and other unauthorized operations.

He emphasized that the military personnel involved would be handed over to the 6 Brigade of the Nigerian Army for further investigation.

Urging residents to comply with the law and respect the authorities, patrols, as announced by him, would be intensified across strategic locations in the state.