Segun Atanda/
The Ondo State Police Command has dismissed widespread reports claiming that four bandits were arrested at the Akure Airport, clarifying that the suspects apprehended in the state are alleged kidnappers’ logistics suppliers and that the airport itself was never breached.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Command’s spokesperson, Abayomi Jimoh, described the circulating reports as misleading and capable of creating unnecessary panic among residents.
“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,” the police spokesman 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.”
According to the police, the arrests actually followed intelligence provided by a concerned resident about suspicious activities in the Eleyewo area of the state capital.
Jimoh explained that officers swiftly acted on the information and carried out a targeted operation that led to the arrest of two suspects believed to be connected to kidnapping operations.
“The Command received credible intelligence from a concerned citizen regarding the activities of suspected kidnappers around the Eleyewo axis of Akure,” the statement 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.”
Police said preliminary findings suggest the suspects were not bandits but individuals who supplied logistics to kidnapping gangs operating within the state.
“Preliminary investigation reveals that the suspects are kidnap logistics suppliers aiding kidnap activities within the state,” Jimoh added.
He noted that the suspects had already provided information useful to investigators.
“They have since made useful confessional statements that are currently aiding ongoing investigations and efforts to apprehend other members of the criminal network.”
The police urged members of the public and media platforms to disregard the earlier claims that bandits had been arrested at the airport.
“The 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,” the statement said.
Authorities also reassured residents that security around strategic facilities in the state remains intact.
“The Command further reassures residents that security around critical infrastructure, including the airport, remains intact and uncompromised.”
Kidnapping has become one of the major security challenges across several parts of Nigeria in recent years, with criminal networks often relying on local collaborators for logistics, intelligence, transportation and supplies.
Security agencies have repeatedly warned that dismantling such support networks is crucial to weakening kidnapping syndicates operating in the country.
The police in Ondo State said investigations are continuing, with efforts underway to identify and arrest other members of the criminal ring linked to the suspects.
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