ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has shut down facilities belonging to Inner Galaxy Steel across the country over alleged links to the vandalism and recycling of railway infrastructure and other critical national assets.
The Corps said the action followed a court order secured after the arrest of suspects and the recovery of vandalised railway materials allegedly traced to the company’s premises located in Birnin Yero, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Speaking during a media briefing on Sunday at the facility, the National Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC, Babawale Afolabi, disclosed that those arrested were being investigated for conspiracy to commit felony, deliberate endangerment of railway passengers, destruction and obstruction of railway infrastructure, theft, concealment of stolen property and alleged terrorism financing.
READ ALSO:MD Nigeria Railway Raises Alarm Over Vandalism Menace
According to Afolabi, the Corps obtained a valid search warrant and court approval authorising the sealing of the premises as well as the transfer of recovered railway sleepers and tracks to the Nigerian Railway Corporation as exhibits for prosecution.
He said, “The facility will remain sealed pending the conclusion of investigations.
“The court order also covers the sealing of facilities linked to Inner Galaxy Steel Company and Jiuxing Integrity Industrial Ltd in Abia and Zamfara states, as well as any other branches nationwide connected to the investigation.”
Afolabi further alleged that some staff members arrested in connection with the case admitted during interrogation that vandalised railway materials and other critical infrastructure components were routinely transported to the company’s facilities where they were melted and recycled into products including nails and roofing sheets.
He added, “Some Chinese nationals linked to the matter have also been invited for questioning but are yet to appear before investigators.”
The Commandant General of the NSCDC, Ahmed Audi, urged Nigerians to assist the Corps with useful information to tackle vandalism and economic sabotage nationwide.
Audi also instructed the Commandant overseeing the CG’s Special Intelligence Squad, Appollos Dandaura, alongside other operatives handling the matter, to carry out investigations with professionalism and diligence.
“All suspects found culpable will be prosecuted in accordance with the law,” Audi said.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Corps to protecting critical national infrastructure and curbing vandalism across the country.
The NSCDC also appreciated the judiciary for granting the court order and commended the media for supporting efforts aimed at exposing economic crimes and protecting national assets.
Railway vandalism and attacks on public infrastructure have continued to pose serious challenges in Nigeria, with security agencies warning that the destruction and theft of railway components threaten public safety, transportation systems and economic activities.
In recent years, the Federal Government has intensified investments in rail transportation projects such as the Abuja-Kaduna and Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge rail lines, although repeated incidents of vandalism and theft have continued to undermine operations and increase maintenance costs.
The NSCDC, which is legally mandated to safeguard critical national infrastructure, has continued to expand enforcement operations across the country in a bid to combat economic sabotage and protect public utilities.