FACT-CHECK: Claim of “Bandits” Arrested at Akure Airport Is Misleading, Police Say Suspects Linked to Kidnapping Network

BY: Jolayemi Abayomi Abdulwaliyy

Claim:

A press release by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) claimed that four suspected bandits were arrested near Akure Airport in Ondo State during a joint security operation.

Verdict:

Misleading! While four suspects were indeed arrested, police authorities say they were not bandits and there was no security breach at the airport.

Full Text:

A statement issued on March 15, 2026, by FAAN sparked widespread concern after it announced that four suspected “bandits” had been apprehended in the vicinity of Akure Airport, Ondo State.

The development quickly gained traction across media platforms, with reports suggesting a potential threat to airport security. Given Nigeria’s ongoing security challenges, the use of the term “bandits” raised alarm about a possible infiltration of critical aviation infrastructure.

According to FAAN, the suspects were arrested following a joint operation involving aviation security personnel and other agencies after suspicious movements were detected around the airport perimeter in the Eleyewo axis. However, the Nigeria Police Force (Ondo State Command) contradicted this narrative.

Verification:

FactCheckAfrica reviewed multiple reports and official statements regarding the incident.

Police authorities clarified that:

• The suspects were not bandits, contrary to FAAN’s description.
• They were allegedly logistics suppliers for a kidnapping network.
• The arrests did not occur at the airport premises.
• There was no breach of airport security.

Further investigation revealed that the arrests took place in the Eleyewo area, approximately 3 kilometres from Akure Airport. While FAAN described the location as being within the “airport vicinity,” this wording may have contributed to public misunderstanding.

Police also cautioned that framing the incident as occurring “at the airport” was misleading and capable of inciting unnecessary panic. Additionally, a related viral claim suggesting an attempted aircraft hijack was found to be false. FAAN itself confirmed that:

• No hijack attempt occurred.
• The original statement did not indicate any aviation-related threat.

FactCheckAfrica found no verified evidence supporting claims of bandit activity at the airport or any compromise of aviation safety.

Conclusion:

The claim that “bandits” were arrested at Akure Airport is misleading. Although four suspects were apprehended, police investigations indicate they were linked to kidnapping logistics rather than banditry, and the arrests took place outside the airport environment. There is also no evidence of any attempted hijack or aviation security breach. The incident highlights how terminology and location framing can significantly influence public perception, especially in sensitive security matters.