The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has denied claims that four bandits were arrested at Akure Airport, Ondo State, South-West of the West African nation.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) had issued a press release stating that it has arrested four suspected bandits in the Ondo state capital.
The statement dated 15 March 2020, titled, “FAAN AVSEC, Others arrest bandits at Akure Airport,” and signed by Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire indicated that the aviation authorities “wishes to inform the public that four suspected bandits were today apprehended within the vicinity of Akure Airport, Ondo state, following a coordinated security operation involving aviation and local security agencies.”
In part, the statement read, “during the operation, some individuals were seen attempting to flee the area,” and as a result, “four suspects were eventually apprehended by the joint security team and have been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force Area Command for further interrogation.”
Providing vivid details, the FAAN spokesman had disclosed that, “the arrest followed a distress alert that suspicious individuals were sighted behind the airport perimeter towards the Eleyewo community.
“In response, security personnel comprising FAAN’s Aviation Security (AVSEC), the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), and other local security outfits immediately launched a joint search operation.”
The Airport Authority commended “the swift collaboration among aviation security personnel, the military, the police, and local security groups, including Amotekun and community vigilantes, whose joint efforts led to the arrest.”
While reassuring members of the travelling public and host communities of its “unwavering commitment to maintaining the safety and security of all airport facilities nationwide,” the body also disclosed that “work has already commenced in phases to ensure that airports under FAAN are better secured against unlawful access and other security threats.”
However, in a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Jimoh Abayomi clarified that “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.”
Credit: The Nigerian Voice
According to him, “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.
Abayomi further stated that “Preliminary investigation reveals that the suspects are kidnap logistics suppliers aiding kidnap activities 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.”
