The police commissioner in Kwara, Paul Odama, has appealed to the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Kwara chapter, not to go ahead with any plans to shut down the Ilorin airport’s flight operations.

A statement by police spokesman Ajayi Okasanmi on Monday said Mr Odama met with the student leaders on the need to set aside the planned protest and allow President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime and ASUU to settle their differences amicably.

NANS had directed all its members to shut down airports’ flight operations in South-West zone, including the Ilorin International Airport, in solidarity with ASUU.

According to the statement, the police commissioner made it clear that he was always ready to cooperate with the students and expect them to reciprocate.

Mr Odama pointed out that hoodlums could hijack the protest, citing the violence and destruction of properties that followed the EndSARS protest of 2020. He also warned that the shutting down of the airport could result in economic damage.

The statement quoted the president of NANS, Suleiman Yusuf Issa, promising to cooperate with the police command in Kwara.

“He told the CP of the collaboration between the association and the police in the state and promised not to do anything that could jeopardise the cordial relationship and the fragile peace existing in the state,” said the statement.

The police statement added, “Issa explained that the directive to shut down the airports by NANS is only binding on the Zone D axis of the association which comprises states in the South-West of the country, while Kwara state is in Zone C, comprising states in North-Central axis.”

(NAN)