The Nigeria Police Force in Ondo State has dismissed reports claiming that four bandits were arrested at Akure Airport, describing the information as false and misleading.
In a statement issued on Monday, March 16, and signed by the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, Abayomi Jimoh, the command clarified that no such incident occurred at the airport and that the facility remains secure.
First Daily reports that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), had on Sunday, March, 15, announced that four suspected bandits were apprehended near Akure Airport following a joint security operation involving aviation security personnel, the military, police, and local security groups.
However, according to the police statement, “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 added.
The police, however, confirmed that two suspects were arrested during an operation carried out in another part of the state capital following intelligence from a member of the public.
According to the statement, security operatives acted on information about the activties of suspected kidnappers around the Eleyewo axis of Akure.
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“The Command, however, received credible intelligence from a concerned citizen regarding the activities of suspected kidnappers around the Eleyewo axis of Akure,” Jimoh said.
“Acting swiftly on the tip-off, operatives of the Command launched a targeted operation in the area which led to the arrest of two suspects.”
The police stated that preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects allegedly served as logistics suppliers for kidnapping operations within the state.
It added that, “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 residents to ignore the reports linking the arrests to the airport, stressing that such claims could cause unnecessary panic.
Police authorities also assured the public that security around critical infrastructure, including the airport, remains intact while investigations continue.