The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps’ (NSCDC) Mining Marshals Unit is embroiled in a deepening scandal following the death one of their officers, DSC Agada Levi Agada. New revelations have revealed conflicting reports, accusations of a cover up, arrests made by the Nigeria Police Force and the claim that millions of naira had been traced to a suspected suspect’s account.
Agada died in February 2026 after sustaining a fatal wound from a gunshot during an operations at Rafin Gabas mine site, Agwada in Nasarawa State. The initial tragedy of a mining operation has turned into a criminal case involving the senior officers in this elite unit.
After Agada’s family members received conflicting explanations about how the officer was killed, the controversy began.
A petition was submitted by Y.C. to the Inspector General of Police, National Assembly and National Human Rights Commission as well as other authorities. According to Maikyau & Co.
Legal Practitioners NSCDC initially stated that bandits had attacked a Mining Marshals team, instantly killing several officers, while Agada was able to survive and die in hospital.
A different story allegedly came out of subsequent family meetings.
In the petition, it was stated that ACC Attah John Onoja (Commander of the Mining Marshals) informed the family later that Agada had been the only one who died, and five others connected with the incident were arrested and detained. According to the family, the different explanations were irreconcilable. They also indicated that there was a potential attempt at concealing the truth.
After inquiries were made at the Federal Medical Centre, Keffi (FMC), suspicions of the family grew.
In the petition it is stated that Dr. Kuza Philemon, FMC Keffi informed the relatives of Agada’s death that an officer who had brought him to hospital said that the gunshot to Agada’s chest was caused by an accident discharge of a firearm belonging to another NSCDC official. According to the petition, medical staff were shown the firearm before any treatment began.
A second discrepancy was also noted by the family. Medical personnel confirmed Agada’s death on February 18th, 2026. However, the FMC Keffi medical report reportedly listed February 19th as her date of passing.
The family claimed in their petition that conflicting reports, combined with the hospital’s version, suggested a coordinated attempt to hide the truth surrounding what they called a suspected culpable murder.
Force Intelligence Department of Nigeria Police Force (FID) has reportedly opened an investigation.
Reports indicate that the police questioned several members of the NSCDC’s Mining Marshals unit to find out their role in the incident.
The investigators focused their attention on the officers present at the time of the incident and those who dealt with the aftermath.
According to sources familiar with the case, some officers were allegedly not able to honor police invitations. Simeon Anyebe Ibrahim Ayefu and Iwodi Obochi were allegedly arrested by police after the arrest of Simeon. The investigators think the officers could have critical information on the events that led up to Agada’s death.
Since the family filed a formal petition with authorities, the arrests are the biggest development since then.
Discovering N2 billion accounts has a new twist
Investigators have reportedly found more than N2billion in a bank-account allegedly connected to Sergeant Jibril Labaran, formerly of the Mining Marshals Unit. The authorities haven’t publicly revealed whether these funds were related to the investigation into the death of Sergeant Jibril Labaran or separate illegal mining enforcement activities.
The disclosure has increased public scrutiny and raised concerns over possible misbehavior within the Mining Marshals organization.
Families Questions: N3 Million Burial Assistance
A third aspect of this controversy revolves around a N3-million payment that was made to Agada’s family following his burial.
The petition states that Simeon Ayebe transferred the money on 8 March 2026. He allegedly told the family the funds had been sent by ACC Onoja on behalf of the company in which the deceased was employed.
Family members said that the payment was made in a manner which raised concerns about its transparency.
This is especially true given the fact there are still unanswered questions regarding the death of the police officer.
It was suggested in the petition that the payment might be seen as an effort to dissuade scrutiny of the event, though this allegation has yet to be proved.
The family members of Agada have accused the Mining Marshals for refusing to release her two phones, despite their repeated demands.
The petition claims that the devices remain in custody even months after the death of the deceased, despite assurances given to his family members. According to family members, the phones could have information that would help them understand the events preceding the shooting.
The Mining Marshals commander fights back
Mining Marshals commander ACC Attah John Onoja, despite mounting accusations, has strongly resisted the investigation.
Onoja, in a petition to the Inspector General of Police Olatunji Rilwan Disu accused the Force Intelligence Department operatives conducting a coordinated effort to weaken and cripple Mining Marshals Unit. Onoja described his arrests as illegal and claimed that certain police officers had interests at disputed mine sites where enforcement activities had been conducted by the Mining Marshals Unit.
Onoja argued that the Mining Marshals acted in a responsible manner following Agada’s death, and claimed that they contributed N8 Million to the family of the deceased including funeral expenses and financial support for his widow. He claimed that some of the family members were given employment.
Further, the commander argued that a thorough internal investigation identified some personnel as suspected and that they were already addressing this issue before police intervened.
As conflicting stories emerge from family members, hospital staff, police and Mining Marshals leaders, the pressure for an impartial and transparent investigation is increasing.
They insist that only an in-depth forensic investigation and a criminal probe can establish whether Agada died as a result of friendly fire, accident, negligence or intentional action. The family demands the return of Agada’s personal items, disclosure of all investigation findings and criminal prosecution for anyone found guilty.
The case has become one of the biggest controversies that have hit the NSCDC Mining Marshals Unit. As the police investigation continues and as more officers are scrutinized, it is quickly becoming one of the largest controversies. It raises questions regarding accountability, transparency and the internal operation of one of Nigeria’s most important security units.
