MMIA police command prosecutes 104 in six months

The Lagos Airport Police Command on Friday said that no fewer than 102 persons were charged to court for committing various offences at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos between January and June 2018.

The spokesman for the command, DSP Joseph Alabi, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

NAN reports that some of the suspects were charged with assault, stealing, obtaining by false pretenses as well as unlawful entry and touting.

The offences, according to Alabi, contravene the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) bye Laws.

He said the command made 169 arrests and secured 19 convictions within the period under review.

The spokesman said 27 persons were still under investigation while 39 others were awaiting trial.

He maintained that the police authorities were very serious in making the airport and its environs safe and secure for travellers, airline operators and other airport users.

According to him, this necessitated the recent appointment of an Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Mr Danjuma Muhammad, to take charge of the command which was hitherto headed by a commissioner.

“We have a senior ranking officer in command now which is quite strategic. Our officers have been deployed to various areas within the airport environment to keep the place safe.

“The AIG has also warned touts parading themselves as travel agents within the airport environment that they would be prosecuted if and when apprehended,”Alabi said.

He advised members of the public to abide by the rules and regulations of the airport, especially on the issue of restricted areas.