By SUNTV Global Channel News Desk
Published: June 3, 2026 | Abuja, Nigeria
ABUJA — The Commander of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Mining Marshals, Attah Onoja, has accused operatives of the Nigeria Police Force Intelligence Department (FID) of orchestrating a campaign to tarnish his reputation and allegedly plotting his arrest and possible elimination over his aggressive crackdown on illegal mining activities across Nigeria.
Speaking amid growing controversy surrounding his unit, Onoja dismissed allegations linking the Mining Marshals to the diversion of N2 billion and the alleged concealment of circumstances surrounding the death of an NSCDC officer. He described the claims as false, malicious, and designed to cripple the operations of the Mining Marshals.
According to him, documents already submitted to the Inspector-General of Police and other relevant authorities contradict the accusations being circulated against him and his team.
“The agenda was to blackmail me and destroy the Mining Marshals. The same people have been trying for years because we disrupted their illegal mining activities,” Onoja stated.
The commander alleged that the dispute stems from a prolonged battle over illegal mining operations at Rafin Gabas, where Mining Marshals reportedly shut down mining activities, seized equipment, and arrested several suspects, including foreign nationals.
He further alleged that certain police officers repeatedly interfered with government efforts to enforce mining regulations at the site, claiming that some individuals within the police structure had become obstacles to the fight against illegal mining.
Onoja revealed that he had previously submitted petitions to former Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun regarding the alleged activities of a senior police officer whom he accused of interfering with Mining Marshal operations. He said he later withdrew the petitions following efforts to resolve the matter internally between both security agencies.
Addressing allegations surrounding the death of NSCDC officer Agada Levi, who was reportedly shot and killed in February 2026 while guarding equipment seized from illegal miners, Onoja denied any attempt to cover up the incident.
He explained that upon receiving information about the tragedy, he immediately ordered the arrest and detention of all officers present at the scene pending investigations.
According to him, internal investigations identified two officers whose actions raised serious concerns, leading to their continued detention and ongoing disciplinary proceedings.
Onoja also disclosed that he personally informed the deceased officer’s family about the incident and ensured they received financial and logistical support throughout the burial process.
“The family initially indicated they did not want legal disputes and wished to proceed with burial arrangements. We supported them throughout the process and provided assistance to the widow and family,” he said.
Responding to allegations that he and members of his team diverted more than N2 billion belonging to the Mining Marshals, Onoja described the claim as “laughable,” insisting that available bank records completely disprove the accusation.
He maintained that the account in question recorded transactions amounting to less than one million naira within the period under review and could not support claims of multi-billion-naira diversion.
The NSCDC commander further alleged that plans had been made to arrest him on the same day reports accusing him of misconduct were circulated in the media.
He also accused some FID operatives of unlawfully arresting and moving his officers between undisclosed detention locations despite what he claimed was a directive from the Inspector-General of Police ordering their release.
Onoja said he has formally requested that any investigation relating to the death of the officer be transferred to the Department of State Services (DSS), arguing that the Police FID cannot conduct an impartial investigation due to its ongoing dispute with the Mining Marshals.
Despite the allegations and controversy, the commander insisted that he remains committed to the fight against illegal mining and would not be intimidated.
“For the first time in this country, somebody is standing against every form of support for illegal mining regardless of who is involved,” he said.
He added that his conscience remains clear and that he has committed no offence that would warrant fear or intimidation.
The allegations have yet to receive an official response from the Nigeria Police Force as of the time of filing this report.
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