A human rights law firm, Y.C. Maikyau & Co., has petitioned the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, demanding a comprehensive investigation into the death of an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), DSC Agada Levi Agada, alleging possible criminal conspiracy, unlawful killing, concealment of evidence, and violation of the deceased officer’s right to life.
In a petition filed by barrister Nwabueze Obasi-Obi, dated June 18, 2026, and signed on behalf of the deceased’s family, the law firm accused certain NSCDC officers and members of the Mining Marshals unit deployed to Rafin Gabas, Agwada in Nasarawa State of providing contradictory accounts regarding the circumstances surrounding Agada’s death.
The accused NSCDC officers are Attah John Onoja the commander of NSCDC Mining Marshals, Simeon Anyebe, Ibrahim Ayefu, Iwodi Obochi, Femi Fatomona, Inspector Habila alias “K9”, Sergeant Jibril Labaran alias “Abatoir”, ASC I Jimoh Abdulrahman alias “Admin”, and ACC Alex Tolu Ojo.
According to the petition, the deceased, an officer of the NSCDC Mining Marshals unit with service number 44722, sustained a fatal gunshot wound on February 17, 2026, and later died at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Keffi.
The law firm stated that family members were initially informed by an NSCDC officer, Simeon Anyebe, that Agada and five other officers were attacked by bandits while on duty, with the five others reportedly dying on the spot while Agada succumbed to his injuries a day later.
However, the petition noted that a different account emerged during a condolence visit to the family, when the Commanding Mining Marshal, ACC John Attah Onoja told relatives that Agada was the only casualty and that five other officers involved in the incident had been arrested and detained.
The lawyers argued that the conflicting narratives raised serious concerns about the true circumstances of the officer’s death.
The petition further cited information obtained from medical personnel at FMC Keffi indicating that officers who brought the deceased to the hospital reported that the gunshot wound resulted from an accidental discharge of a firearm belonging to another NSCDC officer.
According to the firm, the disclosure contradicts earlier claims that the deceased was shot during a bandit attack.
The petition also questioned the transfer of N3 million to the deceased’s widow through an NSCDC officer as burial support, alleging that the payment was made without any official communication explaining the cause of death or the outcome of any investigation.
The lawyers argued that the payment could be interpreted as an attempt to discourage the family from pursuing accountability over the incident.
Another issue raised in the petition concerns the deceased’s mobile phones, which the family claimed remain in the custody of the Mining Marshals despite repeated demands for their release.
The firm contended that the devices may contain material evidence relevant to determining the circumstances surrounding Agada’s death.
“On that note, the family demanded the release of the deceased’s two mobile phones, which are in the custody of the Mining Marshals, but the officers refused,” the petition said. “Despite repeated demands and an undertaking by ACC Onoja to release the phones of the deceased to the family, they withheld them without any justification.”
The petition revealed that the family had earlier reported the matter to the Force Intelligence Department of the Nigeria Police Force, leading to investigations and the arrest of some NSCDC personnel. However, the family said it had not been informed of the outcome of the investigation.
It also disclosed that a civil suit has been instituted before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, over the matter, with proceedings scheduled for July 15, 2026.
Among other reliefs sought, the firm urged the Minister of Interior to order an independent investigation into the death, ensure forensic examination of the deceased’s phones and other evidence, invite and question officers linked to the incident, suspend any personnel found culpable, and facilitate the prosecution of anyone implicated in the alleged killing or subsequent cover-up.
The petition maintained that only a transparent and impartial investigation would uncover the true circumstances surrounding the death of the NSCDC officer and provide justice for his family.
Additionally, the lawyers said they had petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over alleged threats and attempts to pressure family members and key witnesses into withdrawing their complaints.
In an earlier petition dated June 3, 2026, and signed by J. U. Odenigbo, the law firm, acting on behalf of the family, said one of the relatives considered a key witness in the case had recently been receiving repeated calls from unknown phone numbers.
The family described it as “intimidation, harassment and a threat to life aimed at silencing material witnesses and frustrating ongoing efforts to uncover the true circumstances of the deceased’s death”.
“The timing of these anonymous calls, coming after the family raised serious complaints concerning the contradictory accounts surrounding the deceased’s death, has heightened the family’s fear that persons connected with the incident or persons acting on their behalf may be attempting to threaten, monitor or influence potential witnesses,” the family said.
“The family new lives in fear and has become apprehensive about freely cooperating with investigators unless urgent protective steps are taken by the Nigeria Police Force.”
(SaharaReporters)