The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has officially cleared the commander of its Mining Marshals unit, Assistant Commandant of Corps (ACC) John Onoja Attah, of allegations that he diverted N2 billion and covered up the death of a fellow operative. The clearance was announced by NSCDC Commandant-General Ahmed Audi, who was represented at a Wednesday, August 5, event in Abuja by corps spokesperson Babawale Afolabi. Audi stated that thorough investigations found no evidence implicating Onoja or the Mining Marshals management team in either allegation.
Investigation Findings
According to Audi, the allegations against Onoja were found to be false and without factual basis. He said, "Allegations suggesting otherwise were found to be false and without factual basis." The investigation also established that there was no evidence of premeditated intent in connection with the death of Deputy Superintendent of Corps (DSC) Levi Agada, who died during an operation in Nasarawa state on February 18.
The accusations had been circulating for months, linking Onoja and his team to Agada's controversial death and claims of a N2 billion diversion. Onoja had persistently denied the allegations, describing them as a deliberate effort to discredit the Mining Marshals unit and undermine its work against illegal mining syndicates across Nigeria. The NSCDC's position now formally separates any disciplinary actions taken within the unit from the specific allegations directed at Onoja, confirming that the commander faces no administrative sanction.
Sanctions Against 79 Personnel
During the same event, Audi announced misconduct sanctions against 79 NSCDC personnel. Among those disciplined, two Mining Marshals operatives were dismissed from service and referred for criminal prosecution after they were found to have unlawfully supplied firearms to illegal miners. "Consequently, both personnel have been dismissed from the service and recommended for prosecution in accordance with the law," Audi said.
The Commandant-General described their conduct as grave misconduct, professional negligence, and behaviour that directly undermined the corps' discipline and operational integrity. The disciplinary action followed investigations into the February 18 incident in Nasarawa State that led to Agada's death.
Mining Marshals' Track Record
Since Onoja took charge of the Mining Marshals, the unit has recorded hundreds of arrests and prosecutions as part of the federal government's broader crackdown on illegal mining operations nationwide. Earlier, the NSCDC reported that its Mining Marshals unit apprehended at least 671 suspected illegal miners since its creation, with 397 of those cases already filed before the Federal High Court and several convictions secured. The figures were presented on Monday, July 13, in Abuja by ACC Attah John Onoja, who spoke on behalf of NSCDC Commandant-General Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi at a stakeholders' workshop organised by the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on Mineral Exploitation, Security and Anti-Money Laundering.
