Popular Arise Television journalist, Rufai Oseni, has dismissed reports claiming that Nigerian Air Force (NAF) personnel detained in Burkina Faso have been released.
In a statement shared on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Saturday, Rufai said the officers and airmen are still being held by authorities in the West African country.
According to him, the case involves seven officers and four airmen of the Nigerian Air Force, who have been detained along with their Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft since Monday. He explained that the aircraft was on an official ferry mission to Portugal when it developed a technical problem shortly after taking off from Lagos, forcing the crew to make a safety landing in Burkina Faso.
Rufai noted that contrary to government reports suggesting that the crew was released on Tuesday to continue their journey, the personnel are still in detention. He said the delay is mainly because the Nigerian Federal Government has not officially contacted the Burkinabe authorities to explain the mission of the aircraft.
He further revealed that the detained officers and airmen have not been able to communicate with their families and have received no clear updates from the Nigerian Air Force or the Federal Government.
Rufai stressed that what is needed now is a formal communication from the Nigerian government to confirm that the aircraft was on an approved mission to Portugal and had no connection with any military operations in Benin Republic.
He called on the public and relevant authorities to help raise awareness and ensure the government takes quick action to resolve the situation.
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