By Abbanobi -Eku Onyeka
Abuja
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has obtained a court order to seal all branches of Inner Galaxy Steel Company and Jiuxing Integrity Industrial Ltd across the country following allegations of involvement in a syndicate vandalizing critical national infrastructure.
According to a press release signed by ACC Afolabi Babawale, National Public Relations Officer at NSCDC headquarters in Abuja on Monday, the action represents a major escalation in the federal government’s crackdown on economic sabotage, infrastructure theft, and alleged terrorism financing.
Suspects linked to the syndicate face multiple charges including conspiracy to commit felony and theft, endangering railway passengers, obstruction and damage of railway infrastructure, failure to notify public officers, receiving stolen property, and providing support to terrorist groups.
Operatives of the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad, armed with search warrants and court orders, raided the Birnin Yero facility in Igabi LGA, Kaduna State. Recovered railway sleepers and tracks have been secured and handed over to the Nigerian Railway Corporation as exhibits for prosecution.
Confessions from arrested staff allegedly revealed a coordinated network where vandalized materials were transported to the companies’ headquarters in Aba and other branches for melting. The stolen steel was reportedly recycled into products such as nails and roofing sheets.
The closure and investigation orders now extend to the companies’ headquarters in Ahala Ukwa Village, Ukwa West LGA, Abia State; their northern hub in Tasha Rawayyah, Gusau, Zamfara State; and all other branches and subsidiaries nationwide.
NSCDC said Chinese nationals involved in managing the facilities have been summoned but have not yet appeared before investigators. Commandant General Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi directed CG’S SIS commander Appollos Dandaura to ensure operatives maintain diligence and professionalism throughout the operation.
The Corps thanked the judiciary for the swift issuance of legal instruments to preserve evidence and commended the media for highlighting economic crimes. It urged the public to continue providing credible information to help curb infrastructure theft, stating that “every single suspect found culpable will face the full wrath of the law.”
