KEY POINTS
- NAF aircraft Burkina Faso landing followed routine safety procedures.
- Authorities dismissed claims of espionage and a forced landing as false.
- Diplomats are handling the Nigerian Air Force aircraft’s landing in Burkina Faso.
Nigeria’s federal government has dismissed as false and misleading social media claims that a Nigerian Air Force transport aircraft currently in Burkina Faso was forced to land over suspicions of espionage.
The allegations, which spread rapidly online, claimed that the C-130 aircraft conducted a clandestine intelligence mission and that Burkinabe authorities had detained its crew members as trained spies. Officials said the reports distort a routine military operation and risk inflaming regional tensions.
In a statement to local media, government sources said the aircraft was flying on a duly authorised ferry mission to Portugal for scheduled depot maintenance, which military transport planes must undergo as part of their lifecycle requirements.
NAF aircraft Burkina Faso landing explained
According to the statement, the aircraft had no operational tasking or intelligence mission of any kind.Officials said the flight carried all required documentation and included provisions for diversion in line with international aviation standards.
Authorities initiated the precautionary landing at Bobo-Dioulasso strictly on safety grounds and confirmed that no one intercepted the aircraft, forced it to land, or accused it of violating airspace. “Claims of espionage, airspace violations or hostile intent are entirely false, misleading and unsupported by facts,” the statement said, adding that the narrative appears designed to provoke public anxiety.
Officials also rejected reports and clarified that aircrew and engineers among the 11 personnel onboard did not serve as intelligence officers trained in surveillance or signals intelligence. They said the aircraft carried no surveillance or data-collection systems.
NAF aircraft Burkina Faso landing sparks disinformation warning
The government further clarified that it never announced the release of the crew by Burkinabe authorities, countering online claims that suggested a covert detention and diplomatic standoff.
Interactions between Burkinabe officials and the Nigerian crew have remained professional, according to the statement, and the personnel have maintained contact with their families. The Nigerian ministries and agencies that are in charge of the aircraft and crew are using established diplomatic channels to deal with the problems.
Officials also warned that the continuance of the false tales reveals a planned disinformation campaign aimed at weakening public trust, hurting Nigeria’s image and straining regional relations.
Citizens were urged to rely on verified sources and exercise restraint when discussing national security matters. While scrutiny is welcome in a democracy, the government said, misinformation risks weakening national cohesion and threatening regional stability.
