NSCDC Clears Mining Marshal Commander Over N2bn Allegation

(NSCDC. Photo Credit: Daily Post)

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has cleared Assistant Commandant of Corps John Onoja Attah, Commander of its Mining Marshals unit, of allegations connecting him to the misappropriation of N2 billion and an alleged concealment surrounding the d£ath of a subordinate officer during a mining site operation.

The clearance coincided with the announcement of disciplinary action against 79 Corps personnel, including the dismissal of two Mining Marshals operatives for unlawfully providing firearms to illegal miners.

The Commandant-General disclosed the findings on Wednesday, stating that comprehensive investigations had revealed no evidence implicating Onoja or the Mining Marshals management.

The Commandant-General stated that allegations suggesting Onoja’s complicity or wrongdoing by the management team were determined to be false and without evidential foundation.

The investigations cleared Onoja, the lead prosecutor, and other management members of any involvement in the circumstances that had drawn scrutiny to the unit.

The clearance concludes months of allegations linking Onoja and his team to the controversial d£ath of Deputy Superintendent of Corps Levi Agada during an operation in Nasarawa State, as well as claims of financial diversion.

Onoja had repeatedly denied the allegations, characterising them as fabricated and part of a concerted effort to undermine the Mining Marshals unit and impede its enforcement operations against illegal mining networks.

The Corps also announced sanctions against 79 personnel for various disciplinary violations.

Two Mining Marshals operatives were dismissed and referred for prosecution for unlawfully supplying weapons to illegal miners, in accordance with applicable regulations.

A news correspondent reported that law enforcement authorities had previously identified Onoja in connection with the circumstances surrounding Agada’s d£ath.