Illegal Mining Ban Renewed in Taraba as Villages Fall to Expanding Fulani Militia NetworksBy Mike Odeh James and Izhi Bitrus AdamuTARABA, Nigeria — Governor Agbu Kefas on Monday signed a renewed executive order banning illegal mining in Taraba. It is the third such order since he first signed bans on illegal mining, political thuggery and asset recovery on August 4, 2023 at Government House, Jalingo, according to Punch. From 2023 to 2026, dozens of villages in Takum, Lau, Karim Lamido and Ussa have been sacked or partially displaced by FEM attacks. The July 28 executive order is the governor’s third attempt to halt illegal mining since 2023, but enforcement remains weak in remote areas. Residents argue that until there is permanent military presence and rebuilding of sacked villages, any mining ban will only push the trade deeper underground.