The Commander of the Mining Marshals, an enforcement unit of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Attah John Onoja, has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, alleging a coordinated attempt by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department (FID) to undermine and discredit the elite anti-illegal mining unit.

In a 16-page petition dated May 27, 2026, and obtained by PRNigeria, Onoja accused a team within the Police FID, identified as “Team N,” of orchestrating what he described as a “grand conspiracy” against the Mining Marshals through fabricated allegations and the arrest of three management officials over the death of a personnel attached to the unit.

The petition, received at the Force Headquarters on May 29, was copied to the Presidency, the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services (DSS), the NSCDC Commandant-General and other key government institutions.

The dispute stems from the death of Guard Commander Agada Levi, who was fatally shot on February 18, 2026, at the Rafin Gabas mining site in Kaduna State.

According to Onoja, the incident occurred after a distress call from the mining location, prompting immediate intervention by the Mining Marshals leadership.

He stated that all guards on duty were arrested for investigation, while efforts were made to secure urgent medical attention for the victim, who was later pronounced dead in the early hours of February 19.

The commander noted that a preliminary internal investigation lasting over three months reportedly identified two guards, Hosea Habila and Jibrin Labaran, as key suspects based on witness statements, although investigators allegedly failed to establish any motive for the shooting.

Onoja, however, argued that circumstances surrounding the incident suggested the possibility of external involvement and claimed that officers linked to the Police FID had vested interests in the disputed mining site.

A major plank of the petition is the claim that the deceased officer’s family expressed satisfaction with the handling of the matter by the NSCDC and the Mining Marshals.

According to documents attached to the petition, family members allegedly thanked the unit for its support during the burial process and for providing financial assistance.

Onoja stated that the Mining Marshals contributed ₦8 million towards burial and family support, including ₦5 million for funeral arrangements, ₦3 million for the widow, and an additional ₦400,000 donated personally by him.

He also claimed that two employment opportunities were secured for members of the deceased officer’s family.

The Mining Marshals commander further alleged that despite the apparent resolution of issues with the deceased’s family, the Police FID arrested one of his officers, Iwodi Obochi, on May 20, 2026, over the incident.

He claimed that the officer was detained without prior notification to the NSCDC leadership and was allegedly held incommunicado until legal representatives became aware of his whereabouts.

Onoja also alleged that two additional officers—Assistant Corps Superintendent Ibrahim Ayefu and Superintendent of Corps Simeon Anyebe—were subsequently arrested before the NSCDC could formally respond to an invitation from the police.

He described the arrests as unlawful and accused the FID of extending criminal allegations of conspiracy and culpable homicide to management personnel who had no operational involvement in the incident.

The petition also revisits previous confrontations between Mining Marshals personnel and police operatives at mining locations.

Onoja alleged that officers of the Police FID were involved in violent incidents at the Rafin Gabas site in April 2025 and another confrontation at Ogunlepa in Ondo State in February 2026.

He claimed earlier complaints to police authorities yielded no response and argued that the current investigation may be linked to unresolved institutional disagreements over enforcement activities at illegal mining sites.

In the petition, the Mining Marshals commander urged IGP Disu to order the immediate release of the detained officers and withdraw invitation letters issued to other NSCDC personnel over the matter.

He also requested updates on investigations into previous incidents involving alleged shootings of Mining Marshals personnel by police officers in Kaduna and Ondo states.

Onoja appealed to the Inspector-General to intervene in the interest of inter-agency cooperation and national security.

“I believe law enforcement agencies should work in synergy, devoid of unnecessary rivalry and animosity. We owe the Nigerian public transparency, professionalism and collaboration in service delivery,” he stated.

The petition raises fresh concerns about inter-agency relations among security organisations involved in combating illegal mining and other economic crimes.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Force Intelligence Department nor the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters had issued an official response to the allegations contained in the petition. (PRNigeria)

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