112
By Godswill Michael
The Federal Government has dismissed as false and mischievous claims that about 1,000 terrorists were recently airlifted into Abuja, describing the allegation as baseless, logistically impossible, and aimed at misleading the public.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Defence Ministerial Standing Committee on Military Veterans Welfare, Awwal Abdullahi Aliyu, the government said the viral claim was “designed to tarnish the image of the current administration and cause disaffection.”
“We state categorically that this claim is false, mischievous, and designed to mislead the public,” Aliyu said.
The allegation had circulated widely across social media platforms in recent days, with claims that a large number of suspected terrorists were secretly transported into the Federal Capital Territory under unclear circumstances, sparking fear and speculation among residents.
However, the government said no such operation could have occurred given the operational and logistical realities of the country’s military architecture.
Aliyu explained that Nigeria does not possess any aircraft capable of airlifting 1,000 persons at once, noting that the largest troop carrier in the Nigerian Air Force fleet, the C-130 Hercules, has a maximum passenger capacity of about 100 persons.
“To airlift 1,000 persons would require at least 10 sorties operating simultaneously, an operational impossibility without detection,” he said.
He stressed that military procedures make such a covert operation implausible, as any deployment of Air Force aircraft must follow strict protocols, including formal requests, detailed justification, and approvals through established command channels.
“This means the Military High Command would be fully aware of any such operation. It is therefore inconceivable that such a movement could occur without the knowledge and approval of the President and Commander-in-Chief,” he said.
The government also linked the claim to attempts to undermine public confidence in the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, insisting that national security remains a top priority under the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“At no time has this administration compromised national security for political expediency,” the statement said.
Aliyu also defended the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, describing him as “a committed and trusted member of the Federal Executive Council” who has consistently demonstrated loyalty and dedication to safeguarding the country.
The statement argued that it would be politically illogical for the government to undertake any action capable of undermining its credibility, especially in a sensitive security environment.
“Would the President allow an action capable of severely damaging the credibility of his government? The answer is an emphatic no,” Aliyu said.
The Federal Government urged Nigerians to disregard the claim and remain vigilant against misinformation, warning that fake news of such nature could incite panic and instability.
“The allegation is baseless and contradicts established military procedure and political reality. The public should disregard this propaganda,” the statement added.