Four suspects have been arrested after bandits on Sunday invaded Akure airport.
The bandits were said to have pursued farmers from their farmland into the runway of Akure airport and were seen by Air Traffic Controllers inside the control tower who alerted security.
Findings by BusinessDay showed that the security personnel of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and Air Force personnel combed the nearby forest leading to the arrest of four of the bandits.
Read also: Fear grips farmers in Katsina as bandits enforce ‘Peace Tax’
An air traffic controller at the airport and an eye witness who narrated the incident said a woman and some young men were observed running from their farm behind the operational fence towards the edge of the runway shouting for help as they had noticed some men on motorcycles.
“Apparently, they were being ambushed by men of the state police, Amotekun
They were eventually caught and taken away
“Earlier, in response to a distress call that some suspected persons were seen behind the airport towards Eleyewo community, troops (AVEC officers, NAF and the Nigerian Army)were in pursuit and one suspect was apprehended by joint security operatives, suspect has been taken to NPF area command for further interrogation.”
The eye witness said security personnel have been alerted and they are all working in collaboration with FAAN security officials
He said the joint operation was successful as four suspects were apprehended and they have been handed over to the police.
Olubunmi Kuku, the managing director of FAAN who confirmed the incident said, ”
This is the reason the president and the minister have accelerated establishing operational and perimeter fences at the airports.”
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