NSCDC arrests syndicate that recycled stolen railway and NNPC infrastructure in Kaduna

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has exposed a sophisticated criminal syndicate that is accused of stealing, hiding, and recycling essential national assets and infrastructure.

Daily Post reports that a recent viral video on social media captured extensive vandalism of the newly laid Kaduna‑Kano railway tracks as well as older rail infrastructure.

After the incident, Commandant General Ahmed Abubakar Audi ordered the Special Intelligence Squad (SIS) and the Kaduna State Command to locate and arrest those responsible.

In a statement released on Wednesday by the NSCDC’s National Public Relations Officer, ACC Afolabi Babawale, the corps said that operatives carried out a targeted operation on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.

According to the statement, the SIS, led by Commandant Apollos Dandaura and working with the Kaduna State Command, raided and sealed the Kaduna branch of Inner Galaxy Steel Company 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 bought stolen railway tracks and pipes from vandals, compressed them into scrap metal at the Kaduna facility to disguise 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 items 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 praised Commandant Apollos Dandaura and his team for their professionalism and bravery during the operation.

He also warned that the corps would not tolerate acts of economic sabotage lightly.