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Arise Television anchor Rufai Oseni, has debunked claims by the Nigerian government that the 11 Air Force personnel who were arrested and detainers in Burkina Faso have been released.
The 11 military officials including seven officers and four airmen on board the C-130 aircraft which made an emergency landing in Bobo Dioulasso in the south-west of the country, were arrested and detained amid suspicion that the officials had been involved in the Benin coup rescue.
The Burkina Faso Minister of Territorial Administration, Emile Zerbo, had in a statement, claimed that the aircraft violated national procedures by entering Burkina Faso without authorisation.
However, a statement by an unnamed presidential aide on Friday said the detained Air Force personnel have been released following the intervention of the the Nigerian government.
But in a post on his verified X handle on Saturday, Oseni described the report as false as the Air Force men were still being detained in the West African country.
“I’m reaching out on the situation involving the 7 officers and 4 airmen of the Nigerian Air Force who have been detained alongside their Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft since Monday in Burkina Faso,” Rufai wrote.
“As you may know, the aircraft was on a ferry mission to Portugal when it developed a technical issue shortly after takeoff from Lagos, prompting a precautionary landing in Burkina Faso
“Contrary to reports from the government claiming that the crew had been released on Tuesday to continue their journey, the team is still being held by Burkina Faso authorities. This is largely because the federal government has not yet reached out officially to clarify their mission.
“The officers and airmen detained have not made contact with their families or any updates from the NAF and the Federal Government.
“All that is required at this point is for the Federal Government to formally communicate with the Burkinabe authorities to confirm that the crew was on an authorized mission to Portugal and had no involvement whatsoever in the Benin air operations.
“We are seeking support to raise awareness and hold the government accountable so that prompt action is taken,” he said.
The post ‘It’s a lie’, journalist, Rufai Oseni, debunks Nigerian govt’s claims of NAF personnel’s release in Burkina Faso appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from Ripples Nigeria.
