Nigeria, Oct. 4 -- Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas has alleged that some government and security officials are facilitating illegal mining in the state.

Mr Kefas made the allegation on Saturday at a meeting with artisanal and small-scale miners in Jalingo, vowing to dismantle the network behind the activities.

He said his administration would strengthen regulation of the mining sector and ensure that the state's mineral resources are not exploited outside the law.

The governor said the problem went beyond miners operating without licences, alleging that some people within government and security structures had become part of the network sustaining illegal mining.

"We have more illegal mining inside than those outside," Mr Kefas said....