The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has sealed the premises of Inner Galaxy Steel Company in Birnin Yero, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, over alleged involvement in the vandalism and recycling of critical national infrastructure.
The operation followed earlier arrests of suspects linked to the destruction of railway tracks and installations along the Kaduna-Kano and Kaduna-Abuja rail corridors.
Addressing journalists at the facility, the National Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC, Assistant Commandant of Corps Babawale Afolabi, described the suspects as members of “a highly sophisticated syndicate” allegedly involved in stealing, compressing and recycling public assets.
“A few days ago, we stood right here to expose a highly sophisticated syndicate that was systematically bleeding our nation by stealing, compressing, and recycling our critical national infrastructure,” Afolabi said.
He disclosed that the suspects are being investigated for several offences, including conspiracy to commit felony, obstruction and destruction of railway property, theft, receiving stolen property, concealment of vandalised materials, as well as alleged support for terrorism financing.
According to him, “they were alleged with cases of conspiracy to commit felony, intentional endangering safety of persons travelling by railway, damaging railway, theft, dishonestly receiving stolen property, assisting in concealment of stolen property, and giving support to terrorist groups for the commission of acts of terrorism and financing terrorism.”
Afolabi explained that following the earlier arrests and recoveries, the corps secured a court order and search warrant to proceed with the next phase of the operation.
“Today, we have returned to the premises of Inner Galaxy Steel Company here in Birnin Yero, Igabi LGA, not just to talk, but to execute the full weight of the law,” he stated.
He added that the court order authorised the NSCDC to transfer all recovered vandalised railway sleepers and tracks from the premises to the Nigerian Railway Corporation for preservation as exhibits ahead of prosecution.
“I am pleased to inform you that we are here today armed with a valid court order and warrant authorizing the NSCDC to officially secure and transfer every single vandalized railway sleeper and track recovered from these premises to the Nigerian Railway Corporation, where they will be preserved as vital exhibits for the upcoming prosecution. Furthermore, this facility will remain sealed until our investigation is concluded,” he said.
The NSCDC spokesman further revealed that the search warrant extended beyond Kaduna State to cover the sealing of other facilities linked to the company in Abia and Zamfara States, as well as any other branch nationwide connected to the investigation.
According to Afolabi, some arrested staff allegedly confessed that vandalised railway materials and other critical infrastructure components were usually transported to company facilities for melting and recycling into products such as roofing sheets and nails.
He also disclosed that Chinese nationals linked to the company had been summoned by the corps but were yet to honour the invitation.
Afolabi said the Commandant General had directed the Commandant in charge of the CG’s Special Intelligence Squad, Appollos Dandaura, and other operatives handling the case to ensure professionalism and diligence throughout the investigation.
The corps reaffirmed its commitment to protecting critical national infrastructure and vowed to intensify efforts aimed at reducing vandalism and economic sabotage across the country.
