The Nigeria Police Force in Ondo State has dismissed claims that four bandits were arrested at the Akure Airport, contradicting an earlier statement by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.
FAAN had earlier issued a statement titled “FAAN AVSEC, others arrest bandits at Akure Airport,” claiming that aviation security personnel and other security operatives arrested four suspected bandits after they were sighted behind the airport perimeter towards the Eleyewo community.
However, the Ondo State Police Command described the report as inaccurate, insisting that no security breach occurred at the airport facility.
In a statement on Monday, the command’s spokesperson, Abayomi Jimoh, clarified that the incident referenced by FAAN did not take place within the airport premises.
“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.
The police explained that the confusion stemmed from a tip-off about suspected kidnappers operating around the Eleyewo axis, several kilometres away from the airport.
According to the command, officers immediately launched a targeted operation in the area, which led to the arrest of two suspects believed to be involved in providing logistical support for kidnapping activities in the state.
“Preliminary investigation reveals that the suspects are kidnap logistics suppliers aiding kidnap activities within the state,” the statement said.
The police added that the suspects had made useful confessional statements that were currently aiding ongoing investigations and efforts to apprehend other members of the criminal network.