NSCDC Seals Steel Firm Over Alleged Railway Infrastructure Theft, Vandalism
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has sealed all branches of Inner Galaxy Steel Company and Jiuxing Integrity Industrial Ltd across the country following the uncovering of an alleged syndicate involved in large-scale vandalism of critical national infrastructure.
The action, according to the NSCDC, is part of an intensified federal crackdown on economic sabotage, infrastructure theft and the alleged financing of terrorism.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the National Public Relations Officer of the Corps, Assistant Commandant of Corps (ACC) Afolabi Babawale, the NSCDC disclosed that it secured a comprehensive court order authorising the sealing of the firms’ facilities nationwide.
The Corps alleged that suspects linked to the syndicate are facing multiple criminal allegations, including conspiracy, theft, destruction of railway infrastructure, endangering public safety, concealment of stolen property and alleged support for terrorist activities.
According to the statement, operatives of the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CG’s SIS), acting on valid search warrants and court orders, stormed the company’s facility at Birnin Yero in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
During the operation, railway sleepers and tracks allegedly recovered from the facility were secured and handed over to the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) as exhibits for prosecution.
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The NSCDC further revealed that confessional statements obtained from some arrested staff exposed what it described as a coordinated logistics network used for transporting vandalised railway materials to the company’s headquarters in Aba and other locations for recycling.
The stolen steel materials were allegedly melted and converted into commercial products, including roofing sheets and nails.
Following the discoveries, the Corps extended closure and investigation orders to the company’s headquarters located at Ahala Ukwa Village, Umuahala Community, Obuzor Ukwu in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State, as well as its northern hub situated at Tasha Rawayyah in Gusau, Zamfara State.
The NSCDC said all other branches and subsidiaries linked to the companies nationwide are also under investigation.
The statement added that Chinese nationals involved in the management of the companies had been formally invited by the Corps but were yet to honour the summons.
Commandant General of the NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, directed operatives handling the investigation to maintain 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,” the statement quoted the Commandant General as saying.
The Corps commended the judiciary for granting the necessary legal orders, noting that the development would help preserve critical evidence and prevent interference with investigations.
It also appealed to members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with credible and timely information aimed at curbing infrastructure vandalism and economic crimes across the country.
By PRNigeria
