Chief Magistrate Musa Abdulrasaq Eneye has ordered a 14-day remand for suspected aviation fuel thieves at Kuje Prison, emphasizing the need for thorough investigation before arraignment. The suspects, including 46-year-old Murtala Abdulahi, were arrested in connection with siphoning Jet-A1 fuel from an Aerotan Hangar tank at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. Abdulahi, caught with 50 jerry cans of the stolen fuel, confessed, leading to the arrest of accomplices Abdulahi Jibril, Kabiru Hassan, and Habib.
Airport police detained Abdulahi at 3:00 a.m. last Wednesday, uncovering a bribe offer of N500,000 to avoid prosecution, which was refused by the DPO and his team. The court granted a two-week detention period under Section 329 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) to complete the investigation.
Commissioner of Police Aminu Raji praised the DPO’s integrity and commitment to a corruption-free investigation. The impounded fuel, valued at approximately N2 million, is undergoing further investigation, with police closely monitoring leads that may reveal insider involvement in the airport’s fuel storage operations.
