The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has dismissed as false and misleading claims circulating on social media that its C-130 aircraft, currently held in Burkina Faso, was forced to land on suspicion of espionage.
The Service also refuted reports alleging that the 11 crew members and engineering personnel onboard were intelligence officers trained for espionage duties, stressing that it did not at any time announce the release of the personnel by Burkinabe authorities.
Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, who disclosed this in a statement yesterday titled, “False Claims Debunked As Facts Emerge On Nigerian Military Aircraft Ferry Flight And Precautionary Landing in Burkina Faso,” said:
“The claims circulating regarding an alleged clandestine intelligence operation involving a Nigerian military aircraft in Burkina Faso are entirely false, misleading and unsupported by facts.
The aircraft in question was on a duly authorised ferry flight to Portugal for scheduled periodic depot maintenance, a routine and mandatory lifecycle requirement for military transport aircraft and, therefore, had no operational tasking or mission of any kind.
“The flight was covered by necessary flight documentation, including provisions for diversion in line with international aviation procedures.
“The precautionary landing at Bobo-Dioulasso was initiated strictly on safety grounds, in full compliance with standard aviation protocols.
“At no time was the aircraft intercepted, forced to land, or found operating without authorisation, and claims of airspace violation or hostile intent are fabrications intended to misinform and inflame public sentiment.
“Equally baseless are allegations of espionage, SIGINT operations, foreign sponsorship, or the involvement of other external networks.
“The personnel on board were standard aircrew and mission-support officers conducting a legitimate military air movement, not intelligence operatives, and the aircraft was not equipped with surveillance or data-collection systems of any kind.”
He added that interactions between the Burkinabe authorities and the NAF crew had remained professional, noting that the personnel had also made contact with their families.
Ejodame further clarified that, contrary to online speculation, there was no official statement from the NAF indicating that the crew had been released.
According to him, issues concerning the aircraft and its personnel are being appropriately handled by relevant Nigerian government ministries and agencies through established diplomatic channels, in line with international norms and bilateral relations.
He warned that the continued circulation of the narratives reflects a deliberate disinformation effort aimed at discrediting Nigeria, undermining public trust and straining regional relations.
The Air Force urged the public to rely on verified information and disregard sensational claims designed to distort facts and threaten regional stability, calling on Nigerians to remain calm, discerning and patriotic in matters of national security.
Ejodame said while constructive scrutiny is essential in a democracy, amplifying falsehoods only serves the interests of those seeking to weaken national cohesion and undermine Nigeria’s standing, stressing that patriotism demands responsibility, unity of purpose and confidence in established institutions working in the best interest of the nation.