Authorities of the Nigeria Police Force in Ondo State have debunked reports that four bandits were arrested at Akure Airport on Sunday.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) had earlier issued a statement on Sunday through its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, claiming that four bandits were arrested at the airport.
However, in a swift response, the Public Relations Officer of the Ondo State Police Command, Abayomi Jimoh, dismissed the report in a press statement issued to journalists on Monday.
He said: “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 police spokesperson, however, disclosed that the Command received credible intelligence from a concerned citizen regarding the activities of suspected kidnappers around the Eleyewo axis of Akure.
He said operatives of the Command launched a targeted operation in the area after receiving the information, leading to the arrest of two suspects.
According to him, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects are kidnap logistics suppliers aiding kidnapping activities within the state.
Jimoh added that the suspects have made useful confessional statements that are currently aiding ongoing investigations and efforts to apprehend other members of the criminal network.
“The Ondo State Police Command therefore urges members of the public to disregard the inaccurate reports suggesting that bandits were arrested at the Akure Airport, as such claims are false, misleading, and capable of causing unnecessary panic,” he said.
