The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has launched a major nationwide crackdown on alleged economic sabotage following the sealing of facilities belonging to Inner Galaxy Steel Company and Jiuxing Integrity Industrial Ltd over suspected involvement in the vandalism and recycling of stolen railway infrastructure.
The operation, described by security operatives as one of the largest anti-vandalism actions in recent years, targeted what authorities called a well-organised criminal network allegedly responsible for dismantling critical railway assets and converting them into commercial steel products valued at billions of naira.
In a statement issued on Monday, NSCDC spokesman, Afolabi Babawale, disclosed that the Corps obtained court orders authorising the immediate closure of the companies’ headquarters, branches, and subsidiaries nationwide pending the conclusion of investigations into allegations bordering on infrastructure theft, economic sabotage, and terrorism financing.
According to the statement, suspects linked to the alleged syndicate are facing accusations including conspiracy, theft, destruction of railway infrastructure, obstruction of railway operations, concealment of stolen property, and support for terrorist activities.
Acting on court warrants, operatives of the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad raided one of the firms’ facilities located in Birnin Yero, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, where large quantities of railway tracks and sleepers allegedly removed from national rail corridors were recovered.
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The recovered materials have reportedly been handed over to the Nigerian Railway Corporation as exhibits for prosecution.
Investigators said preliminary findings revealed an extensive logistics network through which stolen railway materials were allegedly transported from various parts of the country to the companies’ facilities for industrial recycling.
The NSCDC further alleged that confessional statements obtained from some arrested workers indicated that the vandalised railway components were routinely moved to the companies’ headquarters in Aba and other operational centres where they were processed into roofing sheets, nails, and other steel products for commercial distribution.
Following the development, the Corps extended its closure order to the companies’ headquarters located at 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.
Security officials described the operation as a significant breakthrough in efforts to combat organised economic crimes threatening Nigeria’s infrastructure and national security.
The NSCDC also disclosed that Chinese nationals linked to the management of the affected firms have been invited for questioning but are yet to respond to investigators.
Commandant General of the NSCDC, Ahmed Audi, directed the head of the Special Intelligence Squad, Appollos Dandaura, to ensure thorough and professional investigation of the case.
Audi vowed that all individuals found culpable would face prosecution in accordance with the law.
“Every single suspect found culpable in this bleeding of our nation’s commonwealth will face the full wrath of the law. The NSCDC remains committed to reducing infrastructure vandalism to the barest minimum,” he said.
The Corps also commended the judiciary for granting swift legal approvals that helped preserve critical evidence, while urging Nigerians to continue providing credible intelligence to aid the fight against economic sabotage.
