The Ondo State Police Command has dismissed reports claiming that four bandits were arrested at Akure Airport, contradicting an earlier statement issued by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
FAAN had earlier released a statement titled “FAAN AVSEC, others arrest bandits at Akure Airport,” claiming that four suspected bandits were apprehended after being sighted behind the airport perimeter near the Eleyewo community.
However, the police clarified on Monday that no bandits were arrested at the airport and that the facility did not experience any security breach.
The command’s spokesperson, Abayomi Jimoh, explained that the report was inaccurate and misrepresented the actual situation.
He stated, “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.”
According to the police, the misunderstanding arose from a tip-off about suspected kidnappers operating around the Eleyewo axis, several kilometres away from the airport.
Acting on the information, security operatives carried out a targeted operation that led to the arrest of two individuals believed to be suppliers of logistics to kidnappers rather than bandits at the airport.
Preliminary investigations, the police said, showed that the suspects were involved in providing support for kidnapping operations within the state.
“They have since made useful confessional statements that are currently aiding ongoing investigations and efforts to apprehend other members of the criminal network,” the statement added.
The command urged members of the public to ignore reports suggesting that bandits were arrested at the airport, describing such claims as false and capable of causing unnecessary panic.
Police authorities also reassured residents that security around critical infrastructure, including Akure Airport, remains intact.
Earlier on Sunday, FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, had said the arrests followed a distress alert about suspicious individuals spotted behind the airport perimeter toward the Eleyewo community.
According to FAAN, some of the suspects attempted to flee, but four individuals were eventually apprehended and handed over to the police Area Command for further interrogation.
The agency commended the collaboration among security agencies and local groups, including Amotekun operatives and community vigilantes, which it said led to the arrests.
FAAN also dismissed a viral image circulating online that allegedly showed a violent incident at the airport, describing it as false.
“This image is entirely false and does not represent any incident at Akure Airport. No gory scene occurred as depicted,” the authority said.
The conflicting statements from FAAN and the police created confusion among residents and travellers, underscoring the need for clearer communication between security agencies and aviation authorities.
Both agencies, however, maintained that there was no security breach at the airport and assured the public that there was no cause for panic.
The police added that investigations into the arrested suspects are ongoing and warned that anyone involved in criminal activities would face the full weight of the law.
Residents were also encouraged to provide credible and timely information to security agencies to assist in tackling crime in the state.
The police command reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property across Ondo State.
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