Deputy Superintendent of Corps (DSC), Agada Levi Agada, an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), was shot while on duty during an operation at Rafin Gabas in the Agwada area of Nasarawa State, prompting an ongoing police investigation that has led to the arrest of three NSCDC Mining Marshals personnel.

The Nigeria Police Force confirmed the arrest of Simeon Yakubu Anyebe, Ibrahim Ayefu and ASC Iwodi Obochi in connection with the death of Agada, whose killing has generated conflicting accounts and allegations of foul play.

The Force Intelligence Department (FID) launched its investigation after receiving a petition from the deceased officer’s family through their lawyer, Nwabueze Obasi-Obi of Maikyau & Co. Legal Practitioners, seeking an independent probe into the circumstances surrounding his death.

According to police sources, investigators traced transactions exceeding N2 billion through a Zenith Bank account allegedly belonging to Sgt. Jibril Labaran, a member of the NSCDC Mining Marshals unit. The sources said transfers linked to the account were also traced to other individuals connected to the investigation.

Several personnel attached to the NSCDC Mining Marshals unit, including Commander Attah John Onoja and other officers, were invited by the FID for questioning but reportedly did not honour the invitation.

Police sources disclosed that Anyebe, Ayefu and Obochi were subsequently arrested during an operation at a correctional facility where they had allegedly gone to visit a suspect already remanded in connection with Agada’s death. The sources said prison officials alerted law enforcement officers, leading to their arrest.

Investigators said the three suspects are in custody and have provided information considered useful to the ongoing inquiry.

Police sources further alleged that efforts had been made by some NSCDC officials to have the matter handled internally rather than by the police. The investigators called on the NSCDC leadership to make other individuals of interest available for questioning.

In their petition, Agada’s family urged the Inspector-General of Police, the National Assembly and the National Human Rights Commission to investigate the officer’s death and ensure accountability. They alleged possible criminal conspiracy, unlawful killing and violation of the deceased’s right to life by members of the NSCDC Mining Marshals unit.

The family also raised concerns over conflicting explanations they received regarding how the officer died. According to Agada’s brother, Paul Levi Agada, one account claimed that bandits attacked a team of officers, leaving Agada injured before he later died in hospital, while another version stated that he was the only casualty and that other officers involved were detained.

The petition cited information allegedly obtained from the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Keffi, indicating that the fatal injury resulted from a gunshot wound reportedly caused by the accidental discharge of a firearm belonging to an NSCDC officer. The family argued that this account contradicts other explanations provided by NSCDC personnel.

According to the petition, doctors at FMC Keffi were informed by officers who brought Agada to the hospital that the gunshot wound to his chest was caused by an accidental discharge. Despite medical efforts, he died shortly afterwards.

The family maintained that the differing narratives surrounding the incident suggest the need for a thorough and independent investigation into the true circumstances of the officer’s death.

The petition also questioned the handling of Agada’s remains and burial arrangements, describing them as inconsistent and lacking transparency. It further revealed that the family received N3 million after the burial through Simeon Anyebe, who allegedly said the funds were provided as burial support on the instruction of the Mining Marshals commander.

Additionally, the family accused the Mining Marshals unit of withholding the deceased officer’s two mobile phones despite repeated requests for their release.

They claimed promises made to return the devices have not been fulfilled.

The police investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding Agada’s death and determine whether any criminal liability exists.