The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has dismissed two of its personnel over the killing of a suspected illegal miner in Nasarawa State, as part of sweeping disciplinary measures that saw 79 officers sanctioned for various acts of professional misconduct.
The Commandant General of the NSCDC, Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Corps’ National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Commandant of Corps Babawale Afolabi.
According to the statement, the two dismissed officers, Hosea Habila and Jibrin Labaran, were found culpable in the fatal shooting of a suspected illegal miner during an operation at Rafin Gabas in Kokona Local Government Area of Nasarawa State on February 18, 2026.
The incident also claimed the life of the Mining Marshals Location Commander, Levi Agada.
Investigations conducted under the Public Service Rules and the NSCDC Conditions of Service established that the officers engaged the suspected illegal miners with firearms without authorization. Consequently, they were dismissed from the service and recommended for criminal prosecution.
The Corps also announced that 79 personnel were sanctioned following the conclusion of disciplinary investigations into offences including job racketeering, financial misconduct, theft, absenteeism without leave, and acts considered prejudicial to state security.
Those sanctioned comprise one Assistant Commandant General, two Deputy Commandants, 35 senior officers and 37 junior officers. The penalties range from dismissal and compulsory retirement to recommendations for criminal prosecution.
In a related development, four officers are currently facing disciplinary proceedings over alleged involvement in illegal arms dealing. Three of them—Superintendent Tesie Victor Nnamdi, Assistant Superintendent II Okwuruinya Uchenna and Assistant Superintendent II Obaji Sampson—are also facing legal prosecution, while Superintendent Achor Favour is undergoing administrative disciplinary proceedings over allegations of negligence and the mistreatment of a teenage domestic worker.
On the operational front, the NSCDC said it arrested nine suspects linked to illegal firearms and ammunition trafficking across Ebonyi, Enugu, Kogi, Niger states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The Corps also arrested six suspected vandals intercepted with a trailer loaded with vandalised railway sleepers at Sabon Wuse on July 25, 2026. The sleepers were concealed in a blue DAF trailer with registration number ZAR 618 XT.
Additionally, two suspected vandals, Raphael Danjuma and Isaac Zegbe, were arrested for allegedly vandalising electrical cables in Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory.
Professor Audi reaffirmed the Corps’ commitment to transparency, professionalism and zero tolerance for corruption and misconduct, stressing that the actions of the affected personnel do not represent the values of the overwhelming majority of NSCDC officers.
He assured that all suspects and affected personnel would continue to enjoy their constitutional right to fair hearing as administrative and legal processes progress, while urging members of the public to continue providing credible intelligence to support efforts at protecting critical national assets and infrastructure.