Fourteen suspects have been arraigned for allegedly stealing building materials at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, following their arrest by security operatives at the facility.
The Airport Police Command says the suspects were picked up on the evening of April twentieth at the Terminal One building currently under renovation, during a routine patrol by the Joint Monitoring Task Force.
According to a statement by the spokesman for the command, ASP Mohammed Adeola the operation followed repeated complaints by project managers over missing materials within the construction zone, which led to intensified surveillance.
Police say intelligence reports exposed the presence of unauthorised persons within the restricted area, prompting immediate action.
On arrival, operatives arrested the suspects in possession of copper wires, iron components and other high-value materials, with investigations revealing they had gained access by posing as construction workers.
ASP Adeola says, at the Magistrate Court for Special Offences in Oshodi, thirteen of the suspects pleaded guilty and were sentenced to one year and seven months in prison, while one other defendant who pleaded not guilty has been remanded, with the case adjourned to June sixteenth.
Commending the swift response of the task force, the Commissioner of Police, Ogunbode Olufunke, reaffirmed the Command’s zero-tolerance stance on criminal activities, stressing that efforts will continue to safeguard the integrity and security of airport operations.
Reporting By Nosa Aituamen