A disagreement between the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) over an investigation into alleged illegal mining activities in Rafin Gabbas, Agwada town, Kokona Local Government Area of Nasarawa State has escalated.
Both security agencies accused each other of misconduct and interference in the investigation.
The dispute, which has now been taken to the courtroom, centred on conflicting claims surrounding a mining site linked to allegations of culpable homicide, trafficking of underage children for labour, and obstruction of justice.
In suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/901/2025, filed before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, the police accused the Commander of the NSCDC’s Mining Marshal, John Onoja, of facilitating illegal mining operations through two companies, Capital Apex Synergy Global Services Ltd and Nizhong Mining Company Ltd.
An affidavit deposed by Gregory Woje on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) stated that the Force received four petitions, two from traditional rulers and two from legal practitioners — alleging illegal mining and deaths resulting from the activities.
The police further claimed that underage children trafficked from several northern states were being exploited for mining, allegedly fed with hard drugs and subjected to hazardous conditions.
‘These underage children are being used for forced labour, where they are fed hard drugs to keep them working tirelessly.
‘As a result of this exploitation, many of them have died and are buried without notifying anyone. Members of their villages who attempt to report these incidents to the police are either killed or permanently injured.
The entire community now lives in fear, with many unable to go to their farms’, the affidavit read.
The police also alleged that NSCDC officials were arrested and later released during the investigation.
Justice Nwite, in a ruling dated 20 May 2025, granted an order restraining Onoja and his team from further interference or operations at the site, pending investigation.
