SECURITY: Taraba to Tighten Border Security, Launch Task Force Against Illegal Mining.

By Jako Keke, July 15, 2026 

The Taraba State Government has announced a raft of measures aimed at tackling insecurity, illegal mining, kidnapping and communal conflicts across the state following an enlarged security meeting held in Jalingo.

The resolutions were contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting chaired by Governor Agbu Kefas at the T.Y. Danjuma Banquet Hall, Government House, Jalingo, on Wednesday.

The meeting br

ought together members of the State Security Council, heads of security agencies, traditional rulers, local government chairmen, religious and community leaders, as well as members of the newly inaugurated State Security Advisory Committee.

After reviewing the security situation in the state, participants acknowledged improvements in security operations, community engagement and collaboration among security agencies. They, however, expressed concern over persistent land and boundary disputes, illegal mining, kidnapping, criminal activities in forests, porous borders and the movement of unidentified persons.

To address the challenges, the meeting resolved to strengthen security coordination at the local government, ward and community levels through functional early-warning and rapid-response mechanisms.

It also directed the immediate profiling and documentation of recognised traditional, community, religious, professional, youth, women and social organisations in all local government areas to enhance communication, accountability and security coordination.

The communiqué further mandated each local government council to map land and boundary disputes, mining sites, forests, grazing routes, criminal corridors, border crossings and other vulnerable locations, while ensuring that all land disputes are documented and subjected to early mediation to prevent violent conflicts.

On mining activities, the meeting resolved that operators would undergo stricter verification, documentation and security monitoring. While legitimate miners would be protected, illegal mining and unlawful evacuation of minerals would be decisively tackled.

As part of the enforcement strategy, the state government announced plans to establish a Mobile Task Force to ensure compliance with regulations.

The meeting also disclosed that Governor Agbu Kefas would soon sign Executive Order No. 6 of 2026 on the protection of host communities against insecurity and exploitation, mandatory mineral processing, value addition, environmental protection and the sustainable use of natural resources in the state.

Participants further agreed to strengthen security along the Nigeria-Cameroon border and inter-state routes through improved patrols, intelligence sharing and closer collaboration with border communities.

Traditional rulers, religious leaders and community leaders were recognised as critical partners in early warning, peace-building, conflict prevention and the identification of emerging security threats.

The communiqué stressed that all vigilante groups, forest guards and community security outfits must operate strictly within the law and under the supervision of statutory security agencies.

Security agencies were also directed to intensify joint operations and intelligence sharing while enhancing the protection of schools, markets, places of worship, mining communities and other vulnerable public facilities.

The meeting warned against false allegations, ethnic profiling, hate speech and inflammatory statements, directing that all security reports must be properly verified before action is taken.

Local government councils and relevant agencies were instructed to submit preliminary security profiles and risk maps within timelines to be approved by the State Security Council.

Reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding lives and property, the Taraba State Government pledged to deal decisively with kidnapping, banditry, illegal mining, land grabbing, arms trafficking and other activities capable of threatening the state's peace.

The meeting commended security personnel, traditional institutions and citizens for their continued sacrifices and cooperation and urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities.

The communiqué was signed by the Secretary to the Government of Taraba State, Chief Barrister Gebon Timothy Kataps.