The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has accused operatives of the Nigeria Police Force of sabotaging its efforts to tackle illegal mining activities in Nasarawa State, alleging that some officers have gone as far as aiding suspects and obstructing investigations.
Head of the NSCDC’s Mining Marshals, John Onoja Attah, made the claims in a petition to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, as reported by Vanguard Newspaper.
Attah recounted how the Corps arrested one Ali Tanko alongside several Chinese nationals at Rafin Gabas, Kokona LGA, over illegal mining operations. The suspects, he said, had no valid licences since 2021. Their video confessions and signed statements formed the basis of two criminal cases currently before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
He noted that the NSCDC had deployed officers to secure the site to preserve evidence, but the situation changed after the military, which initially supported the operation, pulled out on March 26, 2025. Following this, operatives from the Police Force Intelligence Department allegedly invaded the site, disrupted operations, and began harassing NSCDC officers.
“On April 3, 2025, our personnel were ambushed by policemen who opened fire on them. Four of our officers were disarmed and detained, with no disciplinary action taken against the culprits,” Attah told the committee.
He also highlighted a similar confrontation on February 12 in Ondo State, where NSCDC personnel were reportedly shot at by police during another anti-mining raid.
Further, Attah accused CSP Abdulmajeed of leading 30 armed police officers to the same Rafin Gabas site on April 8, arresting four NSCDC officers and attempting to force them to implicate their commander under duress.
“They refused to lie despite torture. Yet, the police secured a court order barring us from the site and have since taken over the case, even attempting to withdraw our suits without our consent,” he said.
He appealed to the Senate to intervene and safeguard the NSCDC’s mandate, stressing the economic and security risks illegal mining poses to the country.
“This is not just about rivalry. It’s about protecting Nigeria’s resources and enforcing the law. Shielding illegal miners undermines national development,” Attah added.
