•••FID probes controversial death of NSCDC officer as investigators uncover massive financial transactions linked to suspects
The Nigeria Police Force has arrested three officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Mining Marshals unit in connection with the controversial death of their colleague, Deputy Superintendent of Corps (DSC) Agada Levi Agada, a pastor who died following a mining operation in Nasarawa State.
The arrested officers were identified as Simeon Yakubu Anyebe, Ibrahim Ayefu and ASC Iwodi Obochi.
The Force Intelligence Department (FID) commenced an investigation after receiving a petition from the deceased officer’s family through their lawyer, Nwabueze Obasi-Obi of Maikyau & Co. Legal Practitioners, demanding a thorough probe into the circumstances surrounding Agada’s death.
Police investigators disclosed that the probe uncovered suspicious financial transactions involving one of the suspects, Sergeant Jibril Labaran, an officer attached to the NSCDC Mining Marshals unit.
According to investigators, over ₦2 billion was traced to a Zenith Bank account allegedly belonging to Labaran, with detectives reportedly tracking multiple transfers and receipts involving several other suspects connected to the case.
A police source said investigators had established a trail of what was described as clandestine financial movements between the account and those of other persons under investigation.
The FID also invited several senior officers of the Mining Marshals unit for questioning as part of efforts to unravel the circumstances surrounding the officer’s death and the alleged financial dealings linked to the case.
The late Agada was reportedly shot during an operation in the Rafin Gabas area of Nasarawa State, although conflicting accounts have emerged regarding how he sustained the fatal injury.
The deceased’s family has alleged attempts to conceal the true circumstances surrounding the incident, citing inconsistencies in reports provided by officers involved in the operation.Police authorities have assured that investigations will continue and that all individuals found culpable would be brought to justice.
The case has further intensified scrutiny of activities within the Mining Marshals unit amid ongoing federal efforts to combat illegal mining and economic sabotage across the country.
