The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced that it will launch an investigation into allegations against Azman Air, a prominent Nigerian airline.
The airline is accused of assisting Iran's Mahan Air in circumventing United States sanctions by transferring an Airbus A340-642 widebody passenger aircraft to the Iranian carrier.
The allegations surfaced following a report by the Middle East Forum Observer, which claimed that on November 15, 2024, Azman Air delivered the aircraft to Mahan Air. During its flight from Kano to Kabul, the aircraft's crew reportedly turned off the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) transponder at an altitude of 39,000 feet after entering Iranian airspace, eventually landing at Tehran’s Mehrabad International Airport.
A spokesperson for the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Mr. Mike Achimugu, stated, "Smuggling is under the purview of Customs, not the NCAA.
Until these allegations are confirmed, I cannot speak about them. These are weighty allegations. I have forwarded to the relevant directorates to commence investigations."
The incident underscores broader geopolitical dynamics, with Iran reportedly seeking to exploit the decline of U.S. and French influence in sub-Saharan Africa to enhance its political, economic, and military presence.
The U.S. Treasury Department has sanctioned the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and several Iranian officials due to their support for terrorism.
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