How 3 Arik Airline staff were caught stealing aviation fuel

The Ministry of Aviation arrested three Arik Air staff for stealing fuel from an aircraft, the aviation minister, Osita Chidoka said.

He revealed this via his official Facebook page that the trio of Blessing Dugbe, Samuel. Asuquo and Isaac Ajakaiye were arrested at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, during a security patrol operation on Sunday at about around 3am.

According to reports by Premium Times, the three were stealing Jet A1 fuel from Arik Air plane to be sold at cheaper rates to other operators.

According to the minister’s post: “A development that has capacity, to threaten safety and security of airplanes. Meanwhile, the three (3) suspects were handed over to the Crime Investigation Bureau (CIB), AVSEC MMIA for further action.”

He said, “In the aviation industry’s fight against corruption and security breaches, other chief security officers and heads of aviation security have been alerted and directed to intensify patrol and surveillance operations at various airports across Nigeria.”

“Considering the magnitude of the crime to the security and safety of airplanes, the chief security officer of the Lagos airport has been asked to ensure that the suspects are handed over to the airport police for adequate prosecution.”

This is not the first time that Arik staff are accused of theft. Passengers have often lamented the loss of one H or the other aboard the airline’s flights.