The claim that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) C-130 aircraft that made an emergency landing at Bobo-Dioulasso Airfield in Burkina Faso was on a clandestine intelligence operation may not be true.
The Nation investigation yesterday revealed this fact.
Some online publications had alleged that the aircraft, which reportedly made an emergency landing on December 8, was forced by Burkinabe authorities to land in the West African country currently under a military government, for alleged clandestine intelligence activities.
The publication also alleged that the clandestine operation was backed by foreign powers, claiming that the experience of the crew onboard did not correlate with maintenance activities, contrary to the NAF’s assertion that the aircraft was en route to Portugal for maintenance purposes.
A credible source at the NAF headquarters i Abuja told The Nation that the claims of a clandestine intelligence operation were entirely “false, misleading, and unsupported by facts”.
According to the source, the flight was covered by all necessary documentation, including provisions for likely diversion, in line with international aviation procedures.
It was learnt that the precautionary landing at Bobo-Dioulasso was initiated strictly on safety grounds and in full compliance with standard aviation protocols.
“At no time was the aircraft intercepted, forced to land, or found operating without authorization. Besides, the claims of airspace violation or hostile intent are fabrications intended to misinform and inflame public sentiment,” the source said.
The Nation gathered that the allegations of espionage, SIGINT operations, foreign sponsorship, or the involvement of other external networks, were “baseless”, insisting that the personnel on board were standard aircrew and mission-support officers “conducting a legitimate military air movement, not intelligence operation, and the aircraft was not equipped with surveillance or data-collection systems of any kind”.
The source added that the professional interactions between the Burkinabe authorities and the NAF crew since the aircraft’s emergency landing, as well as the fact that the crew had been in contact with their families, indicated that there was nothing clandestine about the aircraft or the crew’s mission.
The source said: “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 source cautioned that the continued circulation of the allegation reflected 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,” the source warned.
NAF spokesperson, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, on December 9, explained why the NAF C-130 aircraft made a precautionary landing at Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.
He said the aircraft, en route to Portugal for maintenance, diverted to Bobo-Dioulasso Airfield in Burkina Faso after the crew observed a technical issue few hours after taking off from Lagos on December 8.
Ejodame said the Bobo-Dioulasso Airfield was the nearest for the aircraft to land at that time.
The NAF spokesman stressed that the move was in accordance with standard safety procedures and international aviation protocols.
“Plans are ongoing to resume the mission as scheduled. The Nigerian Air Force appreciates the support received during this period and assures the public that NAF remains professionally committed to strict compliance with operational procedures and safety standards, ensuring the protection of its personnel while fulfilling its constitutional mandate,” he said.
