Suspected thieves were caught attempting to steal underground armoured cable serving the Murtala Muhammad International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, on Friday.

The suspect were sighted around the airport perimeter fence area by the Nigeria Airforce guards on duty as they dug the underground cable belonging to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

But they reportedly took to their heels on sighting the NAF guards while one of them was shot in the arms before he was arrested.

The development comes two weeks after some airfield lighting cables were stolen at the runway of the MMIA’s international wing.

Daily Trust reports that the airport has in recent times recorded security breaches with unauthorised persons accessing the airport through the perimeter fence areas, prompting a series of security measures by the authorities.

Director Public Affairs & Consumer Protection, Abdullahi Yakubu-Funtua who confirmed the arrest stated that on sighting the guards, they took to their heels.

He stated that one of the guards however opened fire on them and hit one of the suspects identified as Usman Musa.

28-year old Musa who is a native of Adamawa State and residing at Ijora sustained gunshot wounds and was subsequently arrested and taken to 661NAF Hospital Ikeja.

The FAAN spokesman said the suspect is presently receiving treatment at General Hospital, Oyingbo, while his other accomplices escaped.

He said, “Usman Musa will be properly interrogated after he has stabilised. The Authority believes that this incident could be a relevant clue to unravelling the theft of the Runway Lighting at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja.” (Daily Trust: Text, Excluding Headline)

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