The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has cleared the Commander of its Mining Marshals unit, Assistant Commandant of Corps (ACC) John Onoja Attah, of allegations linking him to an alleged N2 billion diversion and a purported cover-up surrounding the death of an operative, Deputy Superintendent of Corps (DSC) Levi Agada.

The announcement came as the corps disclosed that 79 personnel had been sanctioned for various acts of misconduct, including the dismissal of two Mining Marshals operatives accused of unlawfully supplying firearms to illegal miners.

Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, the Commandant-General of the NSCDC, Ahmed Audi, represented by the Corps Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, said internal investigations found no evidence implicating Onoja or members of the Mining Marshals management team in the allegations.

According to Audi, the investigation also cleared the unit’s lead prosecutor and other senior officers of any wrongdoing.

“Investigations conducted by the corps found no evidence linking the commander, the lead prosecutor or members of the management team to the allegations. Claims suggesting otherwise were found to be false and without factual basis,” he said.

The Commandant-General further stated that investigators found no evidence of premeditated intent in connection with the death of Agada during an operation in Nasarawa State.

The clarification follows months of allegations circulating against the Mining Marshals leadership over the circumstances surrounding the officer’s death, as well as claims of financial misconduct involving an alleged diversion of N2 billion.

Onoja had consistently denied the allegations, describing them as false and alleging they were part of efforts to undermine the Mining Marshals’ operations against illegal mining activities.

While clearing the commander, Audi announced disciplinary action against 79 personnel for offences ranging from misconduct to professional negligence.

He disclosed that two members of the Mining Marshals unit were dismissed from service and recommended for prosecution after investigations found they had unlawfully supplied firearms to illegal miners.

According to him, their actions amounted to grave misconduct, professional negligence and conduct prejudicial to the discipline and operational integrity of the corps.

“Consequently, both personnel have been dismissed from the service and recommended for prosecution in accordance with the law,” Audi said.

He explained that the disciplinary action followed investigations into the operational incident of February 18 in Nasarawa State, during which Agada lost his life.

The NSCDC said the findings distinguish the misconduct of the dismissed officers from the allegations previously levelled against Onoja, maintaining that the Mining Marshals commander was neither found culpable nor subjected to any administrative sanction.

The Mining Marshals unit was established to support the Federal Government’s efforts to combat illegal mining and protect the country’s mineral resources. Under Onoja’s leadership, the unit has carried out numerous enforcement operations, leading to arrests and prosecutions of suspected illegal mining operators across the country.