Panic gripped airport users, residents and farmers around the Akure Airport environment on Saturday when suspected bandits were apprehended in a joint security operation around the facility’s perimeter.
The incident occurred after local farmers raised an alarm on sighting strange men on motorcycles moving suspiciously behind the airport’s operational fence near the Eleyewo community in Akure, Ondo State.
Eyewitnesses hinted to The PUNCH that tension began when a woman and some young men were seen running from their farms behind the airport fence towards the edge of the runway, shouting for help after allegedly noticing armed men approaching on motorcycles.
According to airport sources familiar with the development, the farmers initially feared they were about to be attacked before security operatives suddenly swooped on the suspects in what turned out to be a planned security ambush.
The suspects, who were being tracked by a joint team of security operatives, were eventually surrounded and arrested after a brief pursuit around the airport environment.
Earlier, security agencies had reportedly received a distress call that some suspicious individuals were sighted moving behind the airport towards the Eleyewo axis, prompting a security response.
Security comprising officers of the Aviation Environment Command, personnel of the Nigerian Air Force, the Nigerian Army, and other security agencies were quickly mobilised to the area to intercept the suspects.
The PUNCH gathered that during the operation, one of the suspects was first apprehended by the joint security operatives, while others were subsequently rounded up around the area.
It was further gathered that the arrested suspects were later handed over to the Nigeria Police Force Area Command for further interrogation and investigation into their activities.
Confirming the development to journalists on Sunday, the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Olubunmi Kuku, said the operation was carried out through a collaborative effort involving multiple security agencies.
She said, “We have alerted the CP, the Brig General of the army cantonment, the MAC, and their men are all involved in collaboration with AVSEC.
“The joint operation was successful as four suspects were apprehended, and they have been handed over to the police.”
Kuku noted that the incident further underscored the importance of strengthening security infrastructure around airports across the country.
While stressing that improved fencing and surveillance would help prevent unauthorised access to critical aviation facilities, she added, “This is the reason the President and the minister have accelerated establishing operational and perimeter fences at the airports.”
Confirming the incident, the Ondo State Police command said some men suspected to be bandits were nabbed around the airport at Eleyowo community in the Akure North Local Government Area of the state.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, confirmed the development.
He also confirmed the arrest of two suspected collaborators linked to a kidnapping syndicate terrorising the Ilu-Abo community and the surrounding areas.
“In its ongoing efforts to curb kidnapping and other violent crimes across the state, the command has arrested two suspected collaborators linked to a kidnapping syndicate terrorising Ilu-Abo community and surrounding areas.
“The suspects, identified as Alhassan Muhammad (20) and Faruq Muhammad Sanni (25), all residents of Sabon-Sango, Akure, were arrested on March 15, 2026, following credible intelligence provided by a concerned member of the Ilu-Abo community.
“The information indicated that one of the suspects, who operates as a commercial motorcyclist, had been assisting kidnappers in the area by procuring and delivering food items and other supplies to their hideouts.
“Acting swiftly on the intelligence, operatives of the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Squad immediately mobilised to the location and carried out a targeted operation. The operation led to the successful arrest of the two suspects, while other members of the criminal syndicate fled upon sighting the approaching police operatives.”
He added that the suspects were in custody and had made useful statements in assisting the police with further investigation.
Eleyowo and some communities in the Akure North Local Government have been experiencing a series of attacks by the bandits, as many have been kidnapped since the beginning of the year.
Three people, including a pregnant woman, were kidnapped in Eleyowo, Ilu Abo and Ayede communities in the council area.
They were, however, released after payment of ransom, some days after they were kidnapped.
The bandits struck again in Ilu Abo community in Akure North LGA, abducting three persons on a farm near the Akure Airport last Monday.
One of the victims is Joseph Aladesuyi, who is the Secretary of Okeluju Local Council Development Area in Akoko North-West of Ondo State.
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