The Commander of the Mining Marshals of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), John Onoja, has rejected a police report that allegedly linked one of the unit's operatives to over N2 billion in suspicious financial transactions following the death of an officer. Onoja described the report as inaccurate and misleading, insisting that the bank account cited in the publication did not contain transactions anywhere near the amount claimed.
Onoja Challenges Police Claims
In a statement made available to the press, Onoja stated that records from the account belonging to Jibrin Labaran showed transactions below N1 million over the past year. He said the Zenith Bank account number 1008392780 of Jibrin Labaran contained a total debit of N760,457.25 and a total credit of N760,129.85, being his emolument as an officer, as against a N2 billion claim in the purported police investigation report published online.
The commander also accused a unit of the Force Intelligence Department, identified as Team N, of repeatedly interfering with the operations of the Mining Marshals in Nasarawa State. He alleged that there is a history of consistent blackmail by Team N of the Force Intelligence Department of the Nigeria Police Force headed by CSP Abdulmajeed Abisoye Oyewumi, over one year now on the same site, as he has consistently disrupted Mining Marshals' lawful operations on the site.
Allegations Against Foreign Nationals
Onoja further alleged that foreign nationals involved in illegal mining activities were sponsoring efforts aimed at weakening the Mining Marshals. He claimed that Chinese men whose illegal mining site was shut down in Nasarawa State are the ones bankrolling CSP Abdulmajeed Abisoye Oyewumi for this blackmail. The real players in the background that are using CSP Abdulmajeed Abisoye Oyewumi are the foreign nationals that are united as common enemies against the mining marshals.
He also claimed that police officers accompanied foreign nationals during an attempt to arrest the lead prosecution counsel handling cases involving the Mining Marshals.
Call for Independent Investigation
The commander disclosed that he had written to the Inspector General of Police seeking the transfer of the investigation into the death of Deputy Superintendent of Corps Agada Levi to the Department of State Services for what he described as an impartial review. Onoja said the Mining Marshals supported Levi's family after his death and funded his burial arrangements. He maintained that the unit's management had no knowledge of the circumstances surrounding the officer's death.
While calling for calm, he urged members of the public to allow relevant authorities to review the matter and determine the facts surrounding the competing claims.
Background on NSCDC Recruitment
In an earlier report, the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) announced the shortlisted candidates for the computer-based test in the ongoing recruitment for four key paramilitary agencies. Secretary of the Board, retired Major-General Abdulmalik Jubril, confirmed the development in a statement issued in Abuja.
