NSCDC Cracks Down on Alleged Railway Theft Syndicate, Seals Steel Companies

In a major operation to combat economic sabotage, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has cracked down on an alleged multi-billion naira railway theft ring. The operation led to the sealing of all operational facilities belonging to Inner Galaxy Steel Company and Jiuxing Integrity Industrial Ltd, which are linked to Chinese nationals. According to the NSCDC, the companies were involved in the large-scale vandalism and recycling of stolen railway infrastructure across the country, with the stolen materials being converted into commercial steel products worth billions of naira.

The NSCDC spokesman, Afolabi Babawale, disclosed that the Corps had secured comprehensive court orders authorising the immediate sealing of the companies' headquarters, branches, and subsidiaries nationwide. This move is part of an investigation into allegations of infrastructure theft, economic sabotage, and terrorism financing. The suspects linked to the syndicate are facing serious criminal allegations, including conspiracy to commit felony, theft, destruction of railway infrastructure, obstruction of railway operations, concealment of stolen property, and support for terrorist activities.

Acting on valid court warrants, operatives of the Commandant General's Special Intelligence Squad raided the companies' facility in Birnin Yero, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State. During the raid, large quantities of railway sleepers and tracks allegedly removed from national rail corridors were recovered. The recovered materials have been handed over to the Nigerian Railway Corporation and preserved as exhibits for prosecution.

Preliminary findings exposed an extensive logistics chain through which vandalised railway materials were allegedly transported from different parts of the country to the firms' facilities for melting and industrial recycling. Confessions allegedly obtained from arrested workers revealed that stolen railway components were routinely moved to the companies' headquarters in Aba and other branches, where they were converted into roofing sheets, nails, and other steel products for commercial distribution.

The NSCDC extended its closure order to the companies' headquarters located at Ahala Ukwa Village, Umuahala Community, Obuzor Ukwu in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State, as well as another major operational hub in Tasha Rawayyah, Gusau, Zamfara State. Chinese nationals linked to the management of the companies have been formally summoned for questioning but are yet to honour investigators' invitation.

The Commandant General of the NSCDC, Ahmed Audi, directed the Commandant in charge of the Special Intelligence Squad, Appollos Dandaura, to ensure investigations are carried out with 'absolute diligence and professionalism.' Audi vowed that every individual found culpable would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, stating that 'every single suspect found culpable in this bleeding of our nation's commonwealth will face the full wrath of the law.' The NSCDC remains fiercely committed to reducing infrastructure vandalism to the absolute minimum.

The Corps commended the judiciary for the swift granting of legal orders that prevented alleged tampering with critical evidence, while appealing to Nigerians to continue providing credible intelligence capable of exposing economic saboteurs undermining the country's development.