By Atoyebi Nike
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has raised concerns before the Senate, alleging that certain elements within the Nigeria Police Force are undermining its efforts to halt unauthorised mining operations in Nasarawa State.
In a formal complaint submitted to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, the Commander of the Corps’ Mining Marshals, John Onoja Attah, claimed that operatives from the police’s intelligence unit have interfered with ongoing enforcement actions and, in some cases, supported individuals engaged in illegal excavation activities.
Attah detailed that the disruption intensified following the apprehension of one Ali Tanko alongside several foreign nationals—primarily of Chinese origin—at an unlicensed mining location in Rafin Gabas, situated within Kokona Local Government Area. The suspects reportedly admitted to conducting mining operations without the required permits since 2021, with their confessions documented and legal proceedings initiated at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
According to Attah, officers were stationed at the site to protect crucial evidence. However, this measure faced a setback when military personnel, initially backing the operation, withdrew on March 26, 2025. Subsequently, he alleged that officers from the Force Intelligence Department took over the location, confronted NSCDC operatives, and even resorted to violence.
“When we returned on April 3, we were met with gunfire from police operatives. Four of our personnel were stripped of their weapons and taken into custody. No disciplinary steps have been taken against those involved,” Attah told the committee.
He referenced a comparable incident that occurred earlier on February 12, 2025, in Ondo State’s Lege community, where NSCDC officers faced gunfire during a similar anti-illegal mining operation.
In another alarming development, Attah accused a senior police officer, CSP Abdulmajeed, of leading an armed team to the Rafin Gabas site on April 8. The team allegedly detained four NSCDC officers, subjected them to physical abuse, and attempted to coerce them into incriminating their superior. Despite the pressure, the detained officers reportedly stood by the facts in their written statements.
The police, Attah claimed, went further by obtaining a court injunction barring the Corps from accessing the mining site and have since taken over the legal case. He alleged attempts by the police to retract cases from court proceedings without the NSCDC’s knowledge.
Urging the Senate to launch a thorough probe into the matter, Attah emphasized that the issue goes beyond inter-agency rivalry. “This is a threat to our national resources and internal stability. Shielding those breaking the law sends a dangerous message,” he said.
