The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has sealed the factories of Inner Galaxy Steel Company and Jiuxing Integrity Industrial Ltd across Nigeria following the discovery of an alleged multi-billion-naira infrastructure vandalism syndicate linked to the destruction and recycling of railway materials.
The nationwide enforcement operation, backed by court orders, is part of what the NSCDC described as an intensified federal crackdown on economic sabotage, critical infrastructure theft, and alleged terrorism financing.
In a statement issued on Monday by the National Public Relations Officer of the corps, ACC Afolabi Babawale, the NSCDC said operatives of the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad had already commenced investigations into the activities of the affected companies and their officials.
“Suspects connected to the syndicate were involved in conspiracy, theft, unlawful destruction of railway infrastructure, concealment of stolen property, and support for terrorist activities,” Babawale said.
According to the statement, the suspects are being investigated for offences including conspiracy to commit felonies and theft, intentional endangerment of railway passengers, obstruction and damage to railway infrastructure, failure to provide information to public officers, and dishonestly receiving stolen items.
The NSCDC also alleged that members of the network provided support and financing to terrorist groups for acts of terrorism.
The statement further revealed that armed with valid court orders and search warrants, operatives stormed a facility located in Birnin Yero, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, where railway sleepers and tracks suspected to have been vandalised from public infrastructure were recovered.
The recovered items, according to the corps, have been secured and handed over to the Nigerian Railway Corporation as exhibits for prosecution.
“Investigators said preliminary confessions obtained from arrested staff members exposed what they described as a coordinated logistics network through which stolen railway materials were transported to company facilities for recycling.
“The vandalised rail tracks and steel components were routinely moved to the company’s headquarters in Aba, Abia State, as well as to other branches across the country, where they were melted and converted into commercial products, including roofing sheets and nails.
“Following the discoveries, the corps extended the closure and investigation orders to the headquarters of Inner Galaxy Steel Company and Jiuxing Integrity Industrial Ltd, located at Ahala Ukwa Village, Umuahala Community, Obuzor Ukwu, Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State.”
The shutdown order also affected the company’s northern hub at Tasha Rawayyah in Gusau, Zamfara State, as well as other subsidiaries and branches nationwide.
The NSCDC further disclosed that Chinese nationals linked to the management of the industrial facilities had been formally summoned for questioning but had yet to appear before investigators.
The Commandant General of the NSCDC, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, directed the head of the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad, Appollos Dandaura, to ensure that operatives handling the investigation maintained professionalism and diligence throughout the operation.
“Every single suspect found culpable in this bleeding of our nation’s commonwealth will face the full wrath of the law. The NSCDC remains fiercely committed to reducing infrastructure vandalism to the absolute minimum,” he said.
The corps also commended the judiciary for granting the legal instruments that enabled investigators to secure the facilities and preserve critical evidence.
It further appreciated the media for supporting efforts aimed at exposing economic crimes and promoting accountability.
The NSCDC urged members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information to help curb infrastructure vandalism and related criminal activities across the country.
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