The Airport Police Command has brought 14 suspects before a court over their alleged involvement in the theft of building materials at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
According to a statement by the command, the suspects were arrested on April 20, 2026, between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. at Terminal 1 of the airport, which is currently undergoing renovation. The operation was carried out by the Joint Monitoring Task Force (JMTF), a security team comprising personnel from the Airport Police Command and other agencies, during a routine patrol.
The arrests followed repeated complaints from project managers handling the renovation, who reported ongoing theft of building materials within the Terminal 1 construction area. In response, security was tightened and surveillance intensified around the site.
On the night of the operation, officers acted on credible intelligence indicating that unauthorised individuals were present within the restricted construction zone. The task force immediately moved in and apprehended the suspects at the scene.
Those arrested were identified as 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.
Items recovered from the suspects included high-value copper wires, iron materials, and other construction equipment. Preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects allegedly gained access to the site by posing as employees of the construction company, thereby bypassing security measures.
Following the conclusion of investigations, the suspects were arraigned before the Magistrate Court for Special Offences in Oshodi, Lagos, on April 21, 2026.
Thirteen of the accused persons pleaded guilty and were subsequently sentenced to one year and seven months in prison. One suspect pleaded not guilty and has been remanded in custody, with the case adjourned to June 16, 2026.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police for the Airport Police Command, Ogunbode Olufunke, commended the Joint Monitoring Task Force for its swift response and professionalism.
“Their swift action reinforces the Command’s zero-tolerance stance against criminal activities within the aviation environment,” she said.
She also reaffirmed the command’s commitment to working with relevant stakeholders to safeguard airport infrastructure and ensure the security of operations.
