…As community demand removal of mining marshals
Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have recovered dead bodies in illegal mining sites in Rafin Gabbas community in Agwada Town in Kokona Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
Our investigations showed that the police team deployed from the Force headquarters has recovered and deposited some dea bodies of those who died in the sites under the watch of the Chinese firms and mining marshals.
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This has triggered the people of the community, who are demanding the immediate removal of the commander of the mining marshal, ACC Attah John Onoja.
Secretary of the mining community, Eshimutu Ode, told journalists in Nasarawa that despite the court’s directive, police investigators have allegedly been denied access to the mining sites, causing residents to believe that the refusal to allow police access is a strategy to stall the investigation until the restraining order expires, potentially giving room for the destruction of evidence.
Mr Ode alleged that dead bodies have been uncovered at the sites, noting that they have now been deposited in the mortuary, raising serious questions about the dangers and alleged criminality surrounding operations at the mining locations.
He also alleged that mining activities—allegedly dominated by Chinese-owned firms—have wreaked havoc on farmlands and cost many lives.
“A lot of people are dieing in the mining sites, and nothing is being done about it,” Ode said. “We have NSCDC officers guarding the sites, but that has not stopped the deaths. The mining commander has only caused problems for our community. He should be removed.”
There were allegations that the marshals are obstructing a police investigation into illegal mining activities, despite a valid court order authorizing the probe.
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, had on May 20, 2025, issued a restraining order in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/901/2025. The court directed the commander of the mining marshals, ACC Attah John Onoja, and his team, as well as companies linked to the mining activities, to halt any mining or interference at the disputed sites for 30 days to allow for proper investigation.
Also, the traditional ruler of Agwada, Abubakar Sadiq Obagu, said he had issued a letter dated May 15, 2025, to the Director General of the Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office, disclaiming any consent to the companies currently operating in Rafin Gabbas.
According to him, in the letter, he specifically requested that the office deny any mineral titles to the mining companies except one.
The people of Rafin Gabbas, therefore, appealed to President Bola Tinubu to remove the mining marshals, whom they accuse of complicity in illegal operations and the ongoing suffering in their community.
Responding, ACC Attah John Onoja, the National Commander Mining Marshals Operations, denied any complicity in the Rafin Gabbas community in Agwada Town in the Kokona Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
According to him,”This is a public and sensitive issue involving a lot of bad activities going on in the mining sites. On the restraining order, we appealed it the day after we received it.”
