14 arraigned over building materials theft at Lagos Airport
Fourteen suspects have been arraigned on charges of allegedly stealing building materials at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport. According to the Airport Police spokesperson, the suspects were arrested on April
Fourteen suspects have been arraigned on charges of allegedly stealing building materials at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
According to the Airport Police spokesperson, the suspects were arrested on April 20, 2026, between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. at Terminal 1, which is currently undergoing renovation.
Adeola said the suspects were apprehended by a Joint Monitoring Task Force (JMTF), comprising personnel of the Airport Police Command and other security agencies, during a routine patrol.
He said, “Prior to the arrest, project managers overseeing the renovation works had reported persistent cases of missing building materials within the Terminal 1 axis. This prompted intensified surveillance and patrol operations around the area.”
Police said credible intelligence on the evening of the incident revealed the presence of unauthorized individuals within the restricted construction zone, necessitating immediate intervention by security operatives.
Items recovered from the suspects included high-value copper wires, iron components, and other building materials. Preliminary investigations indicated they allegedly gained access to the facility by impersonating construction workers, thereby breaching established security protocols.
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The suspects M, Muhammed Sadiq, Aliu Umaru, Nuhu Muhammed, Adam Muhammed, Husaini Garuba, Suleman Umaru, Muhammed Musa, Ali Ali, Haruna Adamu, Umaru Musa, Henry Kumasen, Aliu Umaru, Idris Umaru, and Bakura Mustapha, were subsequently charged before the Magistrate Court for Special Offence Oshodi on April 21.
Thirteen of the suspects pleaded guilty and were convicted, receiving one year and seven months’ imprisonment, while one suspect, who pleaded not guilty, was remanded in custody, with the case adjourned to June 16, 2026.
The Commissioner of Police, Airport Command, Ogunbode Olufunke, commended the Joint Monitoring Task Force for its swift response, describing the operation as a demonstration of the command’s zero-tolerance stance on crime within the aviation environment.
She reiterated the command’s commitment to sustained collaboration with relevant stakeholders to ensure the safety and security of airport operations.
