Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, on Tuesday, admitted that a porous segment at the rear of the Akure Airport in Ondo State created an access point that was exploited during the recent incident involving some suspected criminals and locals.

Keyamo, however, assured travellers and other airport users that airports across the country were safe, saying aviation facilities were not being targeted.

Keyamo, who also acknowledged discrepancies in reports by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, and the police, said he had ordered a comprehensive investigation into the incident.

On Sunday, FAAN reported that four suspected bandits were arrested around the Akure Airport following a joint security operation triggered by a distress alert over suspicious movements near the airport perimeter.

However, the police in Ondo State, in a statement by its spokesperson, Abayomi Jimoh, dismissed the claim, saying no such arrest took place at the airport.

Police said only two suspected logistics suppliers aiding kidnappers were apprehended along the Eleyewo and Ilu-Abo axis, not within the airport facility.

But while speaking on Frontline, a programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State, Keyamo said what occurred was an external security situation that spilt into the airport premises rather than a deliberate attempt to compromise aviation safety.

He said, “Of course, there was an intrusion into the airport in Akure, not that they were targeting the airport. The airport was not a target. Let us be very clear about this. In all the accounts, the airport was never a target. There was a problem, obviously, somewhere, and I think they ran into the airport, whether they were bandits or kidnappers and all that, but they ran into the airport. Let me assure the public that the airport was not a target. Passengers were not a target.”

On the porous part of the airport’s fence, he said, “It’s just that there was a porous part of the fence at the back of Akure Airport. These are some of the infrastructure we are trying to rebuild, and it takes a lot of money and time to rebuild it all. To address the fence breaking down, we are raising money to rebuild it.

“So, it is that porous part of the fence that these people were either running from kidnappers or bandits or whatever. I don’t know. I cannot fully say that. They now use that access to run into the airport to escape wherever they were running away from, and that is how they ended up there. A couple of arrests were also made. So, I’m trying to get the full reports, but I just want to assure the public that the airport was not a target.”

On ordering a comprehensive investigation into the incident, he stated that reports were being collated from multiple agencies, including aviation security units and law enforcement, to establish an accurate account of events and identify any lapses in duty or coordination.

According to him, if it were discovered that personnel failed to perform their responsibilities or that there were lapses in surveillance or reporting, appropriate disciplinary measures would be taken.

He said: “I have mandated them to get the true report because we cannot sit down and take the statement from the police as 100 per cent correct. Of course, the police issued their statements, but is this 100 per cent correct?

We are not here to rub shoulders or to try to compare who is more, to be holier than thou. But in between them, I have told my AVSEC people to link up with the police or compare notes and come out with the true situation, and I am waiting for that. I have given those directives already.” (Vanguard)