The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has clarified that the recent security breach at Akure Airport in Ondo State was not a targeted attack on aviation infrastructure, reassuring Nigerians that the facility and its passengers were never the intended targets.
Speaking during an interview on Frontline, a public affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM in Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State, the minister addressed growing concerns over airport safety following conflicting reports surrounding the incident.
The development comes after the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) reported that four suspected bandits were arrested around the airport during a joint security operation triggered by suspicious movements near the perimeter.
However, the Nigeria Police Force in Ondo State countered the claim, stating that no such arrests occurred within the airport. According to Police spokesperson Abayomi Jimoh, only two suspected logistics suppliers linked to kidnappers were apprehended along the Eleyewo and Ilu-Abo axis, outside the airport premises.
Keyamo explained that the incident has been widely misunderstood, noting that available information suggested the individuals involved were fleeing from a separate security situation and gained access to the airport through a vulnerable section of the perimeter fence.
“The airport was never a target. Let us be very clear about that. In all the accounts available, passengers and aviation operations were not under threat”, he said.
He attributed the conflicting narratives from aviation authorities and the Police to communication gaps within bureaucratic structures, where information is often relayed through multiple layers before reaching decision-makers.
According to the minister, such discrepancies are not unusual in fast-evolving situations, especially when officials at headquarters rely on field reports that may not fully capture real-time developments.
Keyamo identified a weak segment of the airport’s perimeter fence as the immediate cause of the intrusion, describing it as part of broader infrastructure challenges affecting several airports nationwide.
“There was a porous section of the fence at the back of the airport. These individuals, possibly fleeing from bandits or kidnappers, exploited that access point to enter the premises”, he explained, adding that efforts are underway to upgrade critical infrastructure despite funding and time constraints.
The minister disclosed that he has ordered a comprehensive investigation involving all relevant aviation and security agencies to establish the true sequence of events and reconcile discrepancies in official reports.
He said aviation security units have been directed to work closely with law enforcement to harmonise findings, stressing that accountability will be enforced where lapses are identified.
“If there were failures in surveillance, reporting, or response, appropriate sanctions will be applied. We must maintain the highest standards in aviation security”, he stated.
Keyamo also highlighted systemic challenges within government reporting structures, noting that bureaucratic processes can slow the flow of accurate information compared to the private sector.
Despite the incident, he reassured Nigerians that the country’s aviation security architecture remains intact and effective, describing the Akure breach as an isolated case linked to external security pressures rather than a coordinated attack.
He emphasised that ongoing reforms, including improved surveillance systems and infrastructure upgrades, are aimed at strengthening airport security nationwide.
“The key message is that the airport was not a target, and passengers were never at risk”, he reiterated, urging the public to remain confident in the safety of Nigeria’s aviation system.