Chinedu Eze
A combined patrol team of officers from Aviation Security’s Crime Investigation and Intelligence (CII) Unit, and the Joint Military Task Force (JMTF) of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, have arrested three persons suspected to be cable thieves around the FAAN Training School.
Two of the suspects were caught at about about 3:00p.m. yesterday where they were digging and cutting electric cables connecting the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Powerhouse (International Wing,MMA) to the Domestic Terminal (MMA), while the third suspect, who served as a link between the two other suspects and buyers at Arena Market, Oshodi was apprehended at exactly 5: 50p.m., at Hajj & Cargo Terminal following confessions made by the two other suspects.
Statement from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) said on-going investigation revealed that one of the suspects was convicted and sentenced to 28 days imprisonment for a similar offence, sometime in April, 2022.
“The suspects are presently being interrogated by officials of FAAN AVSEC after which they will be handed over to the police for prosecution,” FAAN statement disclosed.
The arrest of these suspects indicated that security operatives have reinforced their surveillance of the airport.
Last week, Nigeria Air Force officials who were on security duty at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, apprehended one suspected cable thief while two escaped.
FAAN said the arrest was made near the entrance gate of the Nigeria Air Force perimeter fence along the Airport Road, disclosing that the suspects were sighted digging out FAAN’s underground armoured cable with digging tools, including digger, shovel and cutlass, indicating that the cables were targeted and planned to be stolen.
The agency also said that on sighting the Nigeria Air Force personnel on guards, they took to their heels.
“A guard however opened fire on them, aiming at the shoulder of Usman Musa.
“Usman Musa , 28 years old, a native of Adamawa State, residing at Ijora sustained gunshot wounds. He was subsequently arrested and taken to 661 Nigeria Air Force Hospital (NAFH), Ikeja.
“He is presently receiving treatment at General Hospital Oyingbo while his other two accomplices escaped. Usman Musa will be properly interrogated after he has stabilised,” FAAN said.
The authority also said that it believes that this incident could be a relevant clue to unravelling the theft of Runway Lighting at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos worth millions of dollars that was stolen recently.
