An intake air control apparatus method and apparatus for an internal combustion engine in which the engine includes a variably operated valve mechanism for making at least one of an operating angle of an intake valve and a valve lift thereof variable. A determination is made on whether a deceleration fuel supply cutoff condition to cutoff the fuel supply to the engine is established. A fuel supply cutoff control is carried out when the deceleration fuel supply cutoff condition is established, and at least one of the operating angle of intake valve and the valve lift thereof is reduced by the variably operated valve mechanism to a predetermined extreme minimal value before the fuel supply cutoff control is started in a state in which the deceleration fuel supply cutoff condition is established.