The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has lodged a formal complaint against elements within the Nigeria Police Force, alleging deliberate obstruction of its efforts to combat illegal mining activities in Nasarawa State. The NSCDC claims that certain police officers are actively protecting suspects and hindering investigations, putting NSCDC personnel at risk.
The serious accusations were made by Attah John Onoja, Commander of the NSCDC’s Mining Marshals, in a petition dated June 2, 2025, submitted to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions. Onoja specifically named officers from the Force Intelligence Department (FID), led by CSP Abdulmajeed Abisoye Oyewumi, accusing them of shielding suspects from legal action, as well as harassing, unlawfully detaining, and even opening fire on NSCDC personnel.
According to the petition, the Mining Marshals, a specialized task force under Operation Hayakin Kogo, apprehended several illegal miners in October 2024, including an individual identified as Ali Tanko and his Chinese associates. These arrests followed a petition from Capital Apex Synergy Global Ltd., which holds legal mining rights in Rafin Gabas, Kokona Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
Onoja stated that the suspects confessed to operating without a mining license since 2021 and were subsequently charged in the Federal High Court in Abuja under two separate cases: FHC/ABJ/CR/577/2024 and FHC/ABJ/CR/131/2025.
However, the NSCDC alleges that its prosecution efforts were thwarted by direct police interference, with officers reportedly dispatched to the mining site. In one particularly alarming incident on April 3, 2025, four police officers allegedly opened fire on the Mining Marshals. Onoja reported that these officers were disarmed and later handed over to the Police along with their rifles.
The NSCDC characterized this incident as attempted murder, lamenting that the Inspector General of Police did not investigate the shooting. This incident, Onoja noted, was reminiscent of a similar event in February 2025, where police officers allegedly fired upon NSCDC personnel protecting another illegal mining operation in Ondo State.
The petition further details that on April 8, 2025, CSP Abdulmajeed allegedly returned to the Rafin Gabas site with approximately 30 police officers, where they reportedly attacked and detained four NSCDC members. It is claimed that their weapons and personal belongings were confiscated, and attempts were made to coerce them into falsely implicating their commander.
Additionally, Onoja accused the Police of “fraudulently obtaining” a restraining order from the Federal High Court via an ex parte application. He stated that this order was based on false allegations against the NSCDC, including claims of illegal mining and even homicide, without providing any supporting evidence such as a death certificate. The Mining Marshals have since filed a motion to overturn this court order, citing suppression of facts and a lack of jurisdiction.
The NSCDC’s petition urges the Senate Committee to convene a public hearing to thoroughly investigate the actions of the Police and recommend disciplinary measures, potentially including sanctions against CSP Abdulmajeed. Furthermore, it seeks legislative safeguards to prevent future disruptions to the operations of Mining Marshals nationwide.
Onoja warned that the recent conduct of the Police, particularly an alleged threat from CSP Abdulmajeed to deploy military personnel to attack the secured mining site, constitutes a grave misuse of authority and could undermine legitimate prosecution efforts. He confirmed that a video recording of this alleged threat, alongside various annexures detailing communications between the NSCDC, Police, Army, and legal representatives, has been submitted to the Senate.
