The Taraba State Environmental Protection and Public Safety Agency (TEPPS) has impounded a Toyota Yaris, allegedly transporting illegally mined solid minerals identified as monoxide.
The minerals were reportedly extracted from the Dakka area of Bali local government area of the state.
According to the agency, the vehicle was intercepted during a routine enforcement patrol carried out under Executive Order No. 5 of 2023 on Environmental Protection and Public Safety.
The vehicle and its contents were taken into custody pending legal proceedings in line with the provisions of the executive order.
TEPPS warned motorists, transporters and individuals involved in the illegal mining and transportation of solid minerals to desist from such activities, stressing that violators would be arrested and prosecuted.
The agency reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to protecting the environment and safeguarding the state’s natural resources, adding that enforcement operations would continue across the state to curb illegal mining and other activities considered harmful to public interest.