NSCDC Shuts Down Two Steel Firms Over Alleged Railway Vandalism

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has sealed off operations of two steel companies over alleged involvement in railway vandalism and other acts of economic sabotage across the country.

Commandant General of the Corps, Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi, disclosed this while addressing journalists at the NSCDC headquarters in Abuja, warning that individuals and organisations destroying national infrastructure would face the full weight of the law.

According to him, the Corps obtained a court order authorising the shutdown of all operational branches of Inner Galaxy Steel Company and Jiuxing Integrity Industrial Ltd nationwide over alleged links to the vandalism of railway materials and related offences.

Audi directed the Commandant of the Special Intelligence Squad, Appollos Dandaura, to ensure professionalism and thoroughness in the ongoing investigation, stressing that all suspects found culpable would be prosecuted.

The action followed the uncovering of what the NSCDC described as a sophisticated syndicate allegedly involved in the systematic theft and vandalism of critical public infrastructure, including railway tracks, power installations and telecommunications equipment.

Operatives of the Special Intelligence Squad, acting on search warrants, reportedly raided a facility in Birnin Yero, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, where they recovered large quantities of railway sleepers, steel tracks and other vandalised materials.

The recovered items have been handed over to the Nigerian Railway Corporation as exhibits for prosecution.

Preliminary investigations, including confessions from some arrested staff members, indicated that the syndicate allegedly operated a coordinated network transporting stolen infrastructure materials from different parts of the country to processing centres in Aba, Abia State, and other locations nationwide.

The materials were reportedly melted and converted into products such as roofing sheets, reinforcement rods and nails for sale to unsuspecting members of the public.

The NSCDC said suspects linked to the operation are facing charges bordering on conspiracy, theft, destruction of public infrastructure and alleged support for criminal activities.

The Corps also disclosed that closure orders had been extended to the companies’ headquarters in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State, a northern operational hub in Gusau, Zamfara State, and other affiliated facilities across the country.

It added that foreign nationals associated with the management of the companies have been summoned but are yet to appear before investigators.

Audi reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to protecting national assets and combating infrastructure vandalism, while urging members of the public to support security agencies with credible information.