The Airport Police Command has dragged fourteen suspects before court over the alleged theft of building materials at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, in a case that has stirred fresh concern over security lapses at critical infrastructure sites.
The suspects were arrested on April 20, 2026, between 1900hrs and 2000hrs inside the Terminal 1 renovation area during a coordinated operation by the Joint Monitoring Task Force.
The task force comprises operatives of the Airport Police Command and other sister security agencies, who were on routine patrol when the incident was uncovered.
According to a statement issued by Mohammed Adeola, the arrests followed sustained intelligence-led surveillance after repeated reports of missing construction materials at the site.
Project managers had earlier raised alarm over persistent disappearance of building components within the Terminal 1 construction corridor, prompting heightened monitoring of the area.
Acting on credible intelligence, security operatives stormed the restricted zone where they discovered the suspects allegedly operating under the cover of construction activities.
The arrested individuals 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, Idris Umaru and Bakura Mustapha.
Investigators said the suspects were found with copper wires, iron fittings and other valuable construction materials allegedly removed from the renovation site.
Preliminary findings also indicated that the suspects gained access by impersonating legitimate workers attached to the construction project, thereby breaching established airport security protocols.
Following investigation, the suspects were arraigned before the Magistrate Court for Special Offences in Oshodi on April 21, 2026, where legal proceedings moved swiftly.
Thirteen of the accused persons reportedly pleaded guilty and were subsequently convicted and sentenced to one year and seven months imprisonment, while one suspect who pleaded not guilty was remanded in custody pending further hearing fixed for June 16, 2026.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, Airport Police Command, Ogunbode Olufunke, praised the Joint Monitoring Task Force for its swift response, describing the operation as a clear demonstration of discipline and vigilance.
She reaffirmed the Command’s zero tolerance stance on criminal activities within aviation facilities, stressing that efforts would be sustained to safeguard airport infrastructure and ensure uninterrupted operations.