The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has sealed all branches of Inner Galaxy Steel Company and Jiuxing Integrity Industrial Ltd nationwide following a court order, as part of a crackdown on a syndicate accused of vandalizing critical infrastructure and financing terrorism.
The NSCDC said on Saturday that its Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CGSIS) carried out coordinated raids after uncovering a sophisticated network that systematically stole railway tracks and sleepers for melting and recycling into commercial products.
Operatives stormed the Birnin Yero facility in Igabi LGA, Kaduna State, with valid search warrants and court orders. Recovered railway materials are being secured and transferred to the Nigerian Railway Corporation as exhibits for prosecution.
According to the Corps, confessions from arrested staff revealed that vandalized infrastructure was routinely transported to the company’s headquarters in Aba, Abia State, and other branches, where it was melted down and reprocessed into nails and roofing sheets.
The closure and investigation orders now cover the company’s headquarters at Ahala Ukwa Village, Obuzor Ukwu, Ukwa West LGA, Abia State; its northern hub at Tasha Rawayyah, Gusau, Zamfara State; and all other branches and subsidiaries nationwide.
Suspects linked to the syndicate face multiple charges including conspiracy to commit felony and theft, endangering railway passengers, damaging railway infrastructure, dishonestly receiving stolen property, and providing support and financing to terrorist groups.
The Chinese nationals managing the complex have been summoned by the NSCDC but have not yet appeared before investigators, according to a statement by its National Public Relations Officer, Asst Commandant of Corps, Afolabi Babawaale, ANIPR.
NSCDC Commandant General Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi directed that operatives maintain “absolute diligence and professionalism” in 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,” Audi said.
The Corps thanked the judiciary for granting the orders swiftly to prevent interference with evidence and commended the media for highlighting the case. It urged the public to continue providing credible information to help end infrastructure theft.
