Police arraign 14 suspects over theft of building materials at Lagos Airport
Lagos Airport Police Arrest 14 in Construction Material Theft
The Airport Police Command has arrested 14 individuals in connection with the alleged theft of building materials at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos. The suspects were presented in court on April 21, 2026.
According to a statement from the command, the suspects were apprehended on April 20, 2026, during a routine patrol by the Joint Monitoring Task Force (JMTF), comprising officers from the Airport Police Command and various security agencies. The arrests occurred between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. at Terminal 1, which is currently undergoing renovation.
The arrests followed a series of complaints from project managers about the recurring theft of materials from the construction site, prompting increased surveillance in the area. On the evening of the arrests, the task force acted on credible intelligence indicating unauthorized individuals were present in the restricted construction zone.
Upon arrival, officers detained the suspects, 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. They were in possession of stolen property that included high-value copper wires, iron materials, and other construction equipment. Investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly gained access to the site by impersonating construction workers, thus violating security protocols.
Thirteen of the suspects pleaded guilty and received sentences of one year and seven months in prison, while one individual entered a plea of not guilty. That case has been adjourned to June 16, 2026.
CP Ogunbode Olufunke, Commissioner of Police for the Airport Police Command, commended the JMTF for their prompt and professional response. “Their swift action reinforces the Command’s zero-tolerance stance against criminal activities within the aviation environment,” she stated. The commissioner also emphasized the command’s ongoing commitment to collaborating with relevant stakeholders to enhance safety and security across airport operations.
