The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed reports claiming that a terrorist attack or security breach occurred at the Asaba International Airport, Delta State.

The Airport Police Command described the reports as false, explaining that the security activities witnessed at the airport were part of a planned simulation exercise.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Airport Police Command, Ikeja, ASP Mohammed Adeola, said the exercise was conducted by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

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According to Adeola, the simulation took place on Thursday, September 10, 2026, as part of efforts to test and strengthen the preparedness of security and emergency-response agencies.

The exercise was reportedly designed to assess how effectively various agencies could coordinate their responses during a potential security emergency.

The police explained that security personnel and other relevant stakeholders were deliberately deployed within the airport environment to recreate a simulated security incident.

The controlled scenario allowed participating agencies to test their existing emergency procedures and identify areas requiring improvement.

Asaba Airport Security Exercise Was Planned, Police Say

The Airport Police Command said the simulation was intended to assess several aspects of the airport’s emergency-response arrangements.

These included inter-agency coordination, communication channels, command and control structures, and the ability of security agencies to respond quickly and effectively to a security incident.

The police stressed that the exercise was authorised and carefully controlled, insisting that it should not be interpreted as an actual attack on the airport.

The clarification followed reports circulating across social media and other platforms suggesting that the airport had come under a terrorist attack or invasion.

Such reports, if left unverified, could potentially create fear among passengers, airport workers and members of the wider public.

The command therefore urged travellers, airport users and members of the public to disregard the claims and avoid sharing information that has not been confirmed by the appropriate authorities.

The police also appealed to members of the public to rely on official sources when seeking information about security incidents at airports and other sensitive public facilities.

The clarification is particularly significant because security exercises often involve the deployment of personnel and emergency-response equipment in ways that can appear similar to a genuine crisis when viewed without the surrounding context.

By recreating a simulated incident, security agencies can evaluate their preparedness before an actual emergency occurs.

The Airport Police Command reassured passengers and other airport users that the security situation at the facility remained under control.

It further stated that relevant security agencies remained vigilant and committed to protecting passengers, airport personnel, airport facilities and other stakeholders.

The command’s position effectively seeks to separate the planned exercise from the unverified reports of a terrorist incident.

Authorities continue to encourage the public to exercise caution when consuming and sharing security-related information online, particularly where such reports have not been confirmed by law enforcement or other competent government agencies.

The incident also highlights the importance of emergency preparedness at critical national infrastructure, including airports, where coordinated responses are essential during potential security threats.

For now, the police have maintained that there was no terrorist attack or invasion at the Asaba International Airport and that the activities witnessed at the facility were part of an authorised simulation exercise conducted to strengthen security preparedness.