Thursday, May 14, 2026 - The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has uncovered a sophisticated criminal syndicate allegedly involved in the theft, concealment and recycling of critical national assets and infrastructure.
A recent viral video on social media showed extensive
vandalism of the newly laid Kaduna-Kano railway tracks as well as old rail
infrastructure.
Following the incident, the Commandant General of the Corps,
Ahmed Abubakar Audi, directed the Special Intelligence Squad (SIS) and the
Kaduna State Command to identify and arrest those responsible.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the National Public
Relations Officer of the NSCDC, ACC Afolabi Babawale, the corps said operatives
carried out a targeted operation on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
According to the statement, the SIS, under the leadership of
Commandant Apollos Dandaura and in collaboration with the Kaduna State Command,
stormed and sealed the Kaduna branch of Inner Galaxy Steel Company located in
Birnin Yero, Igabi Local Government Area.
“The operation followed weeks of intensive, intelligence-led
surveillance. Investigations revealed that the company operated a criminal
smokescreen, posing as a scrap-buying entity while actually serving as a hub
for receiving vandalised railway materials, NNPC pipes, and Water Board
infrastructure,” the statement said.
The NSCDC alleged that the syndicate purchased stolen
railway tracks and pipes from vandals, compressed them into scrap metal at the
Kaduna facility to conceal their original form, and transported them to the
company’s head office in Aba, Abia State.
“There, the stolen national assets were melted down and
recycled into nails and iron rods to be sold back to the public,” the statement
added.
According to the corps, 12 key suspects were arrested during
the raid.
Recovered exhibits included large quantities of vandalised
railway tracks, railway sleepers, and suspected NNPC and Water Board pipes
valued at billions of naira.
NSCDC Commandant General Ahmed Abubakar Audi commended
Commandant Apollos Dandaura and his team for what he described as their
professionalism and bravery during the operation.
He also warned that the corps would not treat acts of
economic sabotage lightly.
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