The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has dismissed as baseless accusations and insinuations on social media that its C-130 aircraft, which is now being held in Burkina Faso, was compelled to land on suspicion of espionage.
It further denied claims that the eleven crew members and engineering professionals on board the aircraft were intelligence officers/specialists trained in espionage activities and stated that the NAF made no announcement about the personnel’s release by Burkinabe authorities.
Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, who revealed this in a statement on Monday, in a statement 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 authorized ferry flight to Portugal for scheduled periodic depot maintenance, a routine and mandatory life cycle 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 authorization, 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.”
“The interactions of Burkinabe authorities and NAF crew have remained professional, as the crew have also made contact with their families.
“Furthermore, contrary to online speculation, there was no official statement from the NAF claiming that the crew had been released.
“Matters relating to the aircraft and its personnel are being responsibly managed by the relevant Nigerian government ministries and agencies through established diplomatic channels, in line with international norms and bilateral relations.
“The continued circulation of these narratives reflects a deliberate disinformation effort aimed at discrediting Nigeria, undermining trust, and straining regional relations.
“The public is therefore urged to rely on verified information and to disregard sensational claims designed to distort facts and threaten regional stability.
“Nigerians are therefore encouraged to remain calm, discerning, and patriotic in their engagement with national security matters.
“In an era of heightened information warfare, citizens must resist the temptation to discredit legitimate national efforts based on continental affiliations, political leanings, or speculative narratives.
“Constructive scrutiny is welcome in a democracy, but the amplification of falsehoods only serves the interests of those who seek to weaken national cohesion and undermine Nigeria’s standing.
“Patriotism demands responsibility, unity of purpose, and confidence in established institutions working in the best interest of the nation.”
