By The Nigeria Police Force in Ondo State has denied claims by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) that four suspected bandits were arrested at the vicinity of Akure Airport, stating that no such incident occurred at the airport and that the suspects arrested were logistics suppliers aiding kidnapping activities.
In a press release issued on Monday, March 16, the Ondo State Police Command described the reports circulating in some media platforms that bandits were arrested at the airport as false and misleading, stressing that there was no security breach at the facility.
“The Ondo State Police Command wishes to categorically refute the misleading reports currently circulating across some media platforms alleging that four bandits were arrested at the Akure Airport.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Command wishes to state clearly that no such incident occurred at the Akure Airport, and there was no security breach of any kind at the facility,” the statement read.
According to the police, the command had received credible intelligence from a concerned citizen about the activities of suspected kidnappers operating around the Eleyewo axis of Akure. Acting on the information, police operatives launched a targeted operation in the area which led to the arrest of two suspects.
The police added that preliminary investigations revealed the suspects were supplying logistics to kidnapping gangs operating within the state. The suspects, according to the command, have already made useful confessional statements that are assisting ongoing investigations aimed at apprehending other members of the criminal network.
The command therefore urged members of the public to disregard reports suggesting that bandits were arrested at Akure Airport, warning that such claims are capable of causing unnecessary panic among residents and travellers.
It further reassured residents that security around critical infrastructure in the state, including the airport, remains intact and uncompromised.
The Press Release from the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN)
Meanwhile, in an earlier statement released on March 15, FAAN had announced that four suspected bandits were apprehended within the vicinity of Akure Airport following a coordinated security operation involving aviation security and other security agencies..
According to FAAN, the arrest followed a distress alert that suspicious individuals were sighted behind the airport perimeter towards the Eleyewo community. The aviation authority said the alert prompted a joint search operation by security personnel.
FAAN stated that personnel from its Aviation Security unit (AVSEC), the Nigerian Air Force, the Nigerian Army, the police, and other local security outfits participated in the operation.
During the operation, FAAN said some individuals attempted to flee the area but four suspects were eventually apprehended by the joint security team and subsequently handed over to the police Area Command for further interrogation.
The authority also commended the collaboration among aviation security personnel, the military, the police, and local security groups, including the Amotekun Corps and community vigilantes, noting that their swift response led to the arrest.
FAAN further stated that the incident highlighted the importance of strengthening airport perimeter protection nationwide.
The contradictory statements from the police and FAAN have raised questions about the exact nature and location of the arrests, particularly whether the suspects were apprehended within the airport vicinity as initially reported or during a separate police operation around the Eleyewo area of Akure.
