The Mining Marshals, a special operations unit of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has dismissed a viral publication claiming that “over N2 billion” was traced to the bank account of Jibrin Labaran, an officer involved in the death of DSC Agada Levi, describing the report as false and a campaign of blackmail.
In an official statement released on June 2, 2026, the Management of Mining Marshals Operations said the Zenith Bank account number 1008392780 belonging to Labaran showed total credits of N760,457.25 and debits of N760,129.85 over the last one year, “representing largely his emoluments as an officer.” This, it said, contradicts the claim of over N2 billion allegedly traced to the account in a purported police investigation report circulated online.
The statement was issued pursuant to a directive of the NSCDC Commandant General following public concerns over the death of DSC Agada Levi, described by the Marshals as “one of the most active and loyal officers” in its operations.
The Mining Marshals said it paid off a N50,000 debt linked to Labaran’s account when he was taken into custody alongside others at the duty location where the incident occurred.
The organisation further alleged a pattern of “sustained blackmail and interference” over the last one year by Team N of the Force Intelligence Department, FID, of the Nigeria Police Force, led by CSP Abdulmajeed Abisoye Oyewumi. It cited an incident where CSP Oyewumi reportedly led over 30 police operatives to a mining site to allegedly facilitate the return of illegal miners currently standing trial, and a previous arrest of four Mining Marshals operatives from the same site.
“Given the cordial relationship maintained with the family of the late Agada Levi, the Mining Marshals dispatched two officers, Simeon Anyebe and Ayefu Ibrahim, to ascertain whether the deceased officer’s elder brother, Mathew Agada, was aware of any matter concerning his late brother beyond the ongoing internal proceedings,” the statement said. It claimed the officers were detained at Kuje Correctional Service and handed over to FID operatives.
The Marshals rejected reports that the officers were arrested while trying to see a suspect on remand, calling the claim “entirely false.” It added that following a directive reportedly issued by the Inspector-General of Police on May 30, 2026 for the release of three personnel, compliance was delayed until the intervention of the Deputy Inspector-General in charge of FID.
On the death of DSC Agada Levi, the Mining Marshals said an internal investigation report had been submitted to the Commandant General, who directed the Administrative Department to commence disciplinary procedures before referring the matter to the Directorate of Legal Services for prosecution. The report, it said, has entered the public domain and was attached to correspondence forwarded to the Inspector-General of Police.
The organisation stated that it engaged the deceased officer’s family in Kaduna, presented WhatsApp communications in which the late officer was cautioned against exceeding operational boundaries, and declined appeals for the release of suspects in custody.
Following the burial, which was fully funded by a committee approved by the Commandant General, the Marshals said it facilitated N3 million in support from “friends of the operation” for the widow, and that the Commandant General pledged continued assistance including integration opportunities within the NSCDC.
The Mining Marshals alleged that foreign nationals linked to an illegal mining site previously shut down in Nasarawa State are sponsoring campaigns to undermine its operations. It also claimed that on May 31, 2026, FID operatives attempted to arrest Ojo Toluwatope Alex, Lead Prosecution Counsel to the Mining Marshals, at his Sauka, Abuja residence, with “Chinese nationals present during the operation.”
“In light of these developments, the Mining Marshals believe that a deliberate effort is underway to undermine an operation that has significantly strengthened enforcement against illegal mining activities in Nigeria,” the statement said.
The organisation called on the Inspector-General of Police to review the conduct of the officers involved and said it has requested the transfer of the matter to the Department of State Services, DSS, for impartial review.
The Marshals stated unequivocally that it “has no involvement whatsoever in the circumstances surrounding” DSC Agada Levi’s death and that the fatality is the first recorded since operations began over two years ago. “The Mining Marshals once again extend their condolences to the family of the late DSC Agada Levi and pray for the peaceful repose of his soul,” the statement concluded.
It urged the public to remain calm, allow due process, and disregard what it termed “misleading narratives and attempts at blackmail.”
Attempts are being made by Dateline Nigeria to reach the Nigeria Police Force Intelligence Department for response.
