Nigeria Air Force officials who were on security duty at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos apprehended one suspected cable thief while two escaped in the wee hours of yesterday, according to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
A statement from the agency signed by the Director Public Affairs & Consumer Protection, Abdullahi Yakubu-Funtua, 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 amoured cable with digging tools, including digger, shovel and cutlass, indicating that the cables were targeted and planned to be stolen.
The statement 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 recently.
