Abuja Steel Company Denies Involvement In Stolen Manhole Cover Scandal

Abuja, Nigeria – Abuja Steel Company has vehemently denied allegations that it purchased and smelted stolen manhole covers, refuting claims made by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and circulating widely on social media.

The company issued a statement Tuesday asserting its commitment to ethical and transparent business practices.

The FCTA had on Monday implicated Abuja Steel Company, located along the Abuja-Kaduna Road, as a recipient of the stolen covers, stating that “exhibits of interest” had been recovered from the company and are now in police custody.

A spokesman for the FCT Minister, Lere Olayinka, confirmed the development.

However, Abuja Steel Company’s spokesman, Chethan Kumar, categorically denied any involvement.

He stated that the allegations are “entirely baseless and inconsistent with its core values and established operational principles.”

Kumar emphasised the company’s status as a responsible, tax-paying organisation with a strict adherence to industry regulations.

Kumar, quoting company Director Dr. John Akanya, highlighted Abuja Steel Company’s position as a leading steel producer in Nigeria, fully integrated with its own iron-ore mining and processing facility in Gujeni, Kaduna State.

He stressed that the company is actively transitioning away from scrap metal, utilising direct reduced iron-ore sourced from its sister company, African Natural Resources and Mines Limited (ANRML). This, he argued, renders the allegations implausible.

The company’s statement further explained that its large-scale industrial operations preclude any involvement in small-scale transactions with individuals or unauthorised agents. Any suggestion to the contrary, the statement claims, is false and misleading.

Abuja Steel Company has launched its internal investigation to determine the source of the allegations, which it views as an attempt to damage its reputation.

The company pledged full cooperation with law enforcement in their ongoing investigation into the manhole cover theft and vowed to pursue those responsible for the vandalism.

The statement concluded with a call for the public to disregard the allegations, emphasising the company’s commitment to responsible industrial practices and its contribution to Nigeria’s economic development.