By Ekuson Nw’Ogbunka
Abuja
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has uncovered a sophisticated criminal syndicate specializing in the theft, concealment, and recycling of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI), according to a statement signed by Acc Afolabi Babawale, National Public Relations Officer, NSCDC National Headquarters, Abuja Wednesday.
Following a viral video showing the massive vandalization of the newly laid Kaduna-Kano rail tracks and old existing tracks, the CG issued a stern directive to the CG’s Special Intelligence Squad (SIS) and the Kaduna State Command to identify, track, and apprehend the perpetrators at all costs.
In a clinical operation conducted on Tuesday, 12th May 2026, the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CG’s SIS), under the strategic leadership of Commandant Apollos Dandaura, in collaboration with the NSCDC Kaduna State Command, stormed and sealed the Kaduna branch of Inner Galaxy Steel Company located at Birnin Yero, Igabi LGA.
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 vandalized railway materials, NNPC pipes, and Water Board infrastructure.
The syndicate’s Modus Operandi involved purchasing stolen tracks and pipes from vandals, compressing them into scrap at the Kaduna site to mask their original form, and subsequently transporting them to their 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.
Twelve key suspects were apprehended during the raid and
exhibits recovered at the scene include massive quantities of vandalized railway tracks, slippers, and suspected NNPC and Water Board pipes worth billions of Naira.
The Commandant General of the NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, mni, OFR, highly commended Commandant Apollos Dandaura and his team for their gallantry and professional execution of the task.
The Corps will not treat any act of economic sabotage with kid gloves, the CG stated. “It is deeply concerning that registered companies are acting as saboteurs by providing a market for vandalized infrastructure. We will track down every sponsor and accomplice involved in this network.”
The Inner Galaxy Steel Company facility has been sealed, and the suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of ongoing investigations. The NSCDC reaffirms its commitment to protecting the nation’s infrastructure and calls on citizens to continue providing credible information to help rid the country of such criminal elements.
