14 Suspects Arraigned for Theft at Lagos Airport

The Airport Police Command at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos arraigned 14 suspects on charges of theft of building materials. The suspects were apprehended on April 20, 2026, between 19:00 and 20:00 hours at Terminal 1, which is currently undergoing renovation.

The arrests were made during a routine patrol by a Joint Monitor Task Force (JMTF) that included personnel from the Airport Police Command and KEI Security Agency. The project manager overseeing the renovation reported ongoing thefts of building materials, prompting increased surveillance.

The suspects, who gained access to the facility by impersonating construction company staff, were found in possession of high-value copper wire and iron components. They were charged in the Magistrate Court for special offenses in Oshodi, Lagos, on April 21, 2026.

Thirteen of the suspects pleaded guilty and were sentenced to one year and seven months in prison, while the remaining suspect pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody, with the case adjourned to June 16, 2026. The Commissioner of Police for the Airport Police Command, CP Ogunbod Olufunk, commended the swift action of the task force and reiterated the command's commitment to maintaining security in the aviation environment.