The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has arrested twelve suspects over alleged vandalism, theft and recycling of critical national infrastructure, including railway tracks, NNPC pipelines and water board installations in Kaduna State.
The National Public Relations Officer of the corps, ACC Babawale Afolabi, disclosed this during a press briefing in Kaduna.
Represented by the Deputy Public Relations Officer, SC Terzungwe Orndiir, Afolabi said the operation followed a viral video showing the vandalisation of newly laid Kaduna-Kano rail tracks and other railway infrastructure in the northern part of the country.
He said the Commandant General of the corps, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, directed the CG’s Special Intelligence Squad and the Kaduna State Command to track and arrest those responsible.
According to him, the breakthrough came through intelligence-led operations supervised by the Commander of the CG’s Special Intelligence Squad, Commandant Apollos Dandaura, in collaboration with the Kaduna State Command.
Afolabi alleged that the suspects used the premises of Inner Galaxy Steel Company at Birnin Yero in Igabi Local Government Area as a cover for their activities.
He said the company allegedly compressed vandalised railway materials into scrap at its Kaduna facility before transporting them to Aba, Abia State, where they were recycled into nails and iron rods.
The NSCDC spokesman identified seven suspects arrested at the facility to include Usman Hassan, Bilyaminu Usman, Choji Pam, Jamilu Jaafar, Chukwuemeka Udonwoke, Chikwodilli Ezema and Isaac Etim.
He said the suspects are being investigated for criminal conspiracy, unlawful possession of vandalised property and receiving stolen items.
Afolabi added that operatives also arrested five suspects over alleged vandalism of rail tracks along the Kaduna-Abuja corridor at Gwagwada community in Chikun Local Government Area.
Items recovered from both operations include railway tracks, sleepers, suspected NNPC and water board pipes, gas cylinders and machinery allegedly used for compressing stolen infrastructure.
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Dr Kayode Opeifa, commended the NSCDC for the operation.
Represented by the Chief Technical Officer, Track, Zaria, Mr Paul Doche, Opeifa confirmed that railway materials recovered during the operation belonged to the corporation.
He said the NRC maintains zero tolerance for vandalism and assured that the matter would be fully investigated and prosecuted.
The NSCDC says the crackdown marks the beginning of a renewed offensive against syndicates involved in the vandalism and illegal recycling of critical national assets across the country.
