Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A public affairs analyst and Executive Director of the National Civil Society Council of Nigeria, Ambassador Blessing Akinlosotu, has accused the Commander of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Mining Marshals, Attah John Onoja, of conducting a biased and selective investigation into the death of Deputy Superintendent of Corps Agada Levi Agada while on duty . Akinlosotu made the allegation in a statement on Monday, July 20, 2026, calling on the Nigerian government to order an independent and comprehensive investigation into Agada's death . He insisted that the focus of the investigation should remain on identifying those responsible for killing the NSCDC officer, rather than shifting attention to other matters .
The controversy stems from the death of Agada Levi Agada, a Deputy Superintendent of Corps attached to the Mining Marshals, who was fatally shot on February 18, 2026, at the Rafin Gabas mining site in Kaduna State . Following the incident, the Nigeria Police Force arrested three NSCDC officers in connection with Agada's death and allegedly traced over N2 billion to one of the suspects' bank accounts . However, Onoja formally rejected the police's claim, describing the report as false and misleading . He alleged that the account linked to the investigation recorded transactions amounting to less than N1 million within the last year . Onoja also claimed that foreign nationals involved in illegal mining activities in Nigeria were responsible for Agada's death .
In a fresh allegation, Akinlosotu accused Onoja of shifting the focus of the investigation from Agada's death to the arrest and prosecution of Chief Superintendent of Police Abdulmajeed Abisoye Oyewumi . According to the NCSCN, the Mining Marshals alleged that CSP Oyewumi assisted Chinese nationals facing trial over alleged illegal mining to evade prosecution, helping two suspects escape through the Nigeria-Cameroon border . However, the council questioned this direction, insisting that the circumstances surrounding Agada's death should remain the central issue . Akinlosotu stated, "Our intervention is neither to defend nor indict any individual or institution. Rather, it is to ensure that investigations are conducted professionally, fairly, transparently and strictly in accordance with the Constitution and the rule of law" .
The NCSCN also raised concerns over the conduct of a search carried out at Oyewumi's residence by NSCDC Mining Marshals. According to the council, officers were reportedly searching for the police case file relating to the investigation and any evidence that could expose attempts to cover up the circumstances surrounding Agada's death . The council alleged that officers broke into the residence, searched virtually every part of the house, and seized Oyewumi's mobile phone, which reportedly contained recorded conversations and confessional materials from individuals who had linked certain persons to an alleged cover-up .
Akinlosotu further stressed that the allegations were too serious to be ignored, stating, "Whether ultimately established or disproved, they require a comprehensive and independent investigation capable of commanding public confidence" . He added, "The death of Officer Agada is the central issue. Any investigation into other persons, no matter how significant, must not replace or overshadow the search for those responsible for his death" .
The dispute has drawn in multiple security agencies and civil society voices. In June 2026, Onoja petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, alleging a coordinated attempt by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department to undermine and discredit the Mining Marshals . He also requested that the investigation into Agada's death be transferred to the Department of State Services for what he described as an impartial review . At the time of the latest report, the Nigeria Police Force had not publicly responded to the allegations .
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