The Ondo State Police Command has clarified that the four individuals arrested at Akure Airport are not bandits, but logistics suppliers for kidnappers.
In a statement on Monday, Abayomi Jimoh, the police spokesperson, dismissed the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) report claiming that four bandits were apprehended near the airport perimeter by Eleyewo community.
FAAN had stated late Sunday that the suspects were arrested during a “coordinated security operation involving aviation and local security agencies.”
“During the operation, some individuals were seen attempting to flee the area. 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,” FAAN had said.
In a counter statement however, Jimoh asked the public to disregard “inaccurate reports suggesting that bandits” were arrested at the Akure airport.
The Ondo police spokesperson said the arrested kidnappers’ logistic suppliers have made “useful confessional statements that are currently aiding ongoing investigations”.
“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 reads.