Arik Air staff arrested for stealing fuel from aircraft

Minister of Aviation, Mr. Osita Chidoka, disclosed this yesterday in an entry on his Facebook wall.
He wrote: “In the continued bid to fight corruption and security breaches at the nation’s airport, results are beginning to emerge. My daily security report revealed the following; An Arik plane: some staff caught stealing fuel.”
The Minister added, “On 15th February, 2015, at about 0255hrs at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, the sustained security patrol and surveillance operations across the nation’s airports by the aviation security staff yielded a good result that led to the apprehension of the following three Arik staff namely; Blessing Dugbe, Samuel Asuquo and Isaac Ajakaiye for siphoning jet A1 fuel from Arik airplane with registration number 5N-MID, into six jerry cans for possible sales at a cheaper price to other airlines.”
Chidoka said that the alleged theft threatened safety and security of airplanes. “Considering the magnitude of this crime and the attendant consequences that the act is likely to portend to safety and security of Arik airplanes and other aircraft parked at the MMIA apron, the Chief Security Officer (CSO), MMIA, Lagos, had been requested to ensure that the suspects are handed over to the airport police for adequate prosecution to serve as a deterrent to others,” he said.
Our correspondent gathered that the three suspects have been handed over to the Crime Investigation Bureau (CIB), Aviation Security, MMIA for further action, while other chief security officers and heads of aviation security at the nation’s airports have been alerted and directed to intensify patrols and surveillance at their areas of responsibility.