By The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has sealed factories belonging to Inner Galaxy Steel Company and Jiuxing Integrity Industrial Ltd following the uncovering of an alleged multi-billion naira infrastructure theft syndicate linked to the vandalism of railway facilities across the country.
According to a statement issued by the agency, dated May 24 and signed by Afolabi Babawale, Assistant Commandant of Corps and National Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the crackdown followed a court order obtained by the Corps to shut down the companies’ branches nationwide as investigations intensified into allegations of economic sabotage and the financing of terrorism.
According to the NSCDC, suspects connected to the operation are facing charges bordering on conspiracy, theft, destruction of railway infrastructure, concealment of stolen property, and alleged support for terrorist activities.
Operatives attached to the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad reportedly stormed the companies’ facility at Birnin Yero in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State with search warrants and court-backed enforcement orders.
During the operation, railway tracks and sleepers believed to have been vandalised were recovered from the premises. The materials have since been handed over to the Nigerian Railway Corporation as exhibits for prosecution.
”All recovered railway sleepers and tracks are being officially secured and transferred to the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to be preserved as vital exhibits for prosecution,” the statement read.
Investigators said confessions obtained from arrested workers revealed the existence of a coordinated supply chain through which stolen railway materials were transported to the firms’ facilities in Aba and other locations for melting and recycling into commercial products, including roofing sheets and nails.
”Confessions from arrested staff revealed a coordinated logistics network where vandalised national infrastructure was routinely moved to the company’s headquarters in Aba and other branches for melting,” the statement added.
Following the discoveries, the NSCDC extended the closure order to the companies’ headquarters located in Ahala Ukwa Village, Umuahala Community, Obuzor Ukwu in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State, as well as another operational hub in Gusau, Zamfara State. Other subsidiaries and branches nationwide are also under investigation.
The Corps disclosed that Chinese nationals linked to the management of the factories have been summoned for questioning but are yet to honour the invitation.
Commandant General of the NSCDC, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, directed officers handling the investigation to maintain professionalism and ensure all those involved are brought to justice.
“Every single suspect found culpable in this bleeding of our nation’s commonwealth will face the full wrath of the law,” Audi said.
He added that the Corps remained committed to reducing infrastructure vandalism across the country and protecting critical national assets from criminal syndicates.
The NSCDC also commended the judiciary for granting the legal orders that enabled operatives to secure the facilities and preserve evidence, while appreciating members of the media for drawing attention to economic crimes affecting national development.
