Police Officer Allegedly Threatens Military Action, Offers Bribe to Sabotage Illegal Mining Prosecution

A senior officer of the Nigeria Police Force, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Abdulmajeed Abisoye Oyewumi, is at the center of a growing controversy following emerging evidence linking him to alleged attempts to sabotage ongoing prosecutions related to illegal mining activities in Nasarawa State.

According to video and audio recordings obtained by The Signal, CSP Oyewumi was captured on camera issuing threats to use military force against operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) who were lawfully stationed at a mining site located in Rafin Gabas, Kokona Local Government Area. The site is currently under  prosecution in suit numbers FHC/ABJ/CR/577/2024 and FHC/ABJ/CR/131/2025, both pending before the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division.

In the video footage, Oyewumi is heard stating:

“We will bombard this place with Nigerian Army if you don’t leave.”

The threat has raised serious concerns about potential interference with judicial processes and the safety of law enforcement agents operating within the ambit of the law.

Further investigations reveal that CSP Oyewumi allegedly approached the Legal Department of the Mining Marshals — a unit under the NSCDC — and offered a bribe of ₦5 million in cash in exchange for the release of a group of illegal mining suspects previously apprehended at the same site. Sources within the NSCDC confirmed that during this encounter, Oyewumi did not identify himself as a police officer and presented himself instead as a concerned “stakeholder.”

Unknown to Oyewumi, the NSCDC Legal Department’s office is equipped with audio surveillance equipment, and the conversation was recorded. In the recording, Oyewumi can be heard attempting to broker an unlawful deal to release the suspects already facing criminal charges.

This is not the first time the officer has been linked to interference in mining law enforcement efforts. Internal reports from the NSCDC show that Oyewumi previously led a group of approximately 30 armed police personnel to forcibly remove NSCDC operatives from the mining site, an action that nearly resulted in a violent confrontation.

“We exercised restraint because we understood the potential consequences,” said a senior official within the Mining Marshals, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “But it was a very volatile situation.”

The controversy deepened with revelations that CSP Oyewumi allegedly collaborated with a journalist from Arise TV, Mr. Tolu Ojewunmi, to undermine judicial proceedings. According to NSCDC sources, Oyewunmi posed as a sympathizer and obtained confidential information regarding the court appearance of some of the accused individuals. That information was reportedly leaked to the defendants, who then absconded and have failed to appear in court since.

Ojewunmi has also been accused of cyberbullying the Commander of the Mining Marshals and publishing defamatory claims against the unit on social media. Despite repeated demands, the journalist has reportedly failed to provide any evidence substantiating the claims.

The NSCDC confirmed that steps are now being taken to initiate legal action against Ojewunmi for alleged obstruction of justice, interference with ongoing legal proceedings, and defamation.

Speaking on the matter, a legal officer from the NSCDC emphasized that any grievances relating to alleged disobedience of court orders should be addressed through lawful channels.

“If there is an issue with enforcement, the proper procedure is to initiate contempt proceedings before the court — not to threaten violence or military intervention,” the officer said.

He also questioned the legitimacy of the police presence at the mining site late at night, especially given that the location in question was not covered under the court order referenced by CSP Oyewumi.

As of the time of this report, the Nigeria Police Force has not issued an official statement on the allegations.

Observers and civil society organizations have called for an independent investigation into the matter, describing the incident as a serious affront to the rule of law and a dangerous precedent in the country’s efforts to combat illegal mining. - culled from - Citypride magazine