The Commander of the Mining Marshals of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, John Onoja, has dismissed a police investigation report linking one of his officers to alleged suspicious transactions worth over ₦2bn, describing the claims as false and misleading.

Onoja also alleged that foreign nationals involved in illegal mining activities were behind what he called a coordinated effort to discredit the Mining Marshals unit, which was established to curb illegal mining across Nigeria.

The controversy followed a viral report claiming that police investigators uncovered suspicious financial transactions linked to an NSCDC officer in connection with the death of a Mining Marshals operative.

In a statement issued on Monday, Onoja said the claims were inaccurate and did not reflect the actual account records of the officer involved.

He stated that the bank account referenced in the report showed total transactions of less than ₦1m within the period under review, contradicting the alleged ₦2bn figure.

Onoja also accused a police team attached to the Force Intelligence Department of obstructing Mining Marshals' operations at illegal mining sites in Nasarawa State, alleging that the interference has been ongoing for some time.

He further claimed that the same police team had previously arrested NSCDC operatives and attempted to frustrate ongoing prosecutions involving suspected illegal miners.

The NSCDC commander said he had written to the Inspector-General of Police requesting that the investigation into the death of Deputy Superintendent of Corps Agada Levi be transferred to the Department of State Services for impartial review.

Levi, an officer attached to the Mining Marshals, reportedly died while on official duty, a development that triggered internal and external investigations.

Onoja said the Mining Marshals leadership took responsibility for supporting the deceased officer’s family, including setting up a burial committee and covering expenses for his final rites.

He added that colleagues and associates also raised ₦3m for the officer’s widow as part of support efforts for the bereaved family.

The commander further alleged that foreign interests affected by the unit’s crackdown on illegal mining were funding attempts to damage the reputation of the Mining Marshals.

He noted that Levi’s death remains the first recorded fatality within the unit since its creation over two years ago.

Onoja urged the public to remain calm and allow relevant authorities to thoroughly investigate the matter, stressing that the unit had no involvement in the circumstances surrounding the officer’s death.

The Nigerian Police Force has not yet issued an official response to the allegations.