Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has clarified that the recent security breach near Akure Airport did not involve a direct attack on aviation infrastructure, stressing that the airport was never the intended target.
Speaking during a radio programme, Keyamo explained that the incident stemmed from an external security situation, likely involving individuals fleeing from bandit or kidnapping activity, who gained access through a vulnerable section of the airport’s perimeter fence.
The clarification follows conflicting accounts from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and the Nigeria Police Force. While FAAN reported the arrest of four suspected bandits near the airport, the police dismissed the claim, stating that only two suspected logistics suppliers aiding kidnappers were apprehended along the Eleyewo and Ilu-Abo axis, not within the airport premises.
Keyamo attributed the discrepancies to communication gaps within large institutions, noting that officials often rely on second-hand reports from field operatives, which can lead to inconsistencies in public statements.
He emphasized that the airport, passengers, and aviation operations were not targets, urging the public to avoid panic and maintain confidence in the safety of Nigeria’s aviation sector.
