NewStats: 3,259,435 , 8,170,097 topics. Date: Sunday, 25 May 2025 at 12:20 AM 123x32

Following reports that a Nigerian airline, Azman Air, helped the Iranian Aviation Industries to avoid sanctions imposed on it by the United States government, the Federal Government has said relevant directorates will commence investigation into the issue.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, however, noted that matters of smuggling were within the purview of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS.

Spokesperson for the NCAA, Mr Mike Achimugu, in a chat with Vanguard, said: “Is the NCAA mentioned (in the report)? 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.”

When Vanguard ed the Chairman of Azman Air, Abdulmunaf Sarina, over the development, his number was busy.

Over the weekend, Middle East Forum Observer reported that Iran’s largest airline, Mahan Air, used Azman Air to deliver an Airbus A340-642 widebody enger aircraft to Mahan Air on November 15, 2024.

The news medium said while the aircraft was flying from Kano to Kabul, its crew turned off the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) transponder at an altitude of 39,000 feet after entering Iranian airspace, though it eventually landed at Tehran’s Mehrabad International Airport

The report reads: “The Iranian government seeks to exploit the decline of U.S. and French influence in sub-Saharan Africa to increase its political, economic and military influence on the continent. This expansion began in Burundi, Burkina Faso, the Republic of Congo, and has now extended to Nigeria.

The U.S. Treasury Department has sanctioned both the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and many Iranian officials due to their for terrorism, though since the Biden istration entered office in 2021, the Iranian regime has implemented measures to circumvent sanctions.

“For decades, sanctions imposed on the Iranian Aviation Industries were challenging for the regime and its military and civilian entities to by. However, as the Revolutionary Guards expanded their Africa presence, Mahan Air, Iran’s largest airline, was able to use its connections on the continent to acquire enger aircraft and business jets from Africa into Iran. Given the dual use nature of aircraft, similarity between civilian aircraft and military variants as well as some interchangeable spare parts, its Africa connection allows the Revolutionary Guards to by sanctions.

Mahan Air, for example, has exploited the negligence of Nigerian authorities to smuggle enger aircraft. On November 15, 2024, Nigerian airline Azman Air, the country’s seventh largest airline, delivered an Airbus A340-642 widebody enger aircraft to Mahan Air. That day, while the aircraft was flying from Kano to Kabul, its crew turned off the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) transponder at an altitude of 39,000 feet after entering Iranian airspace, though it eventually landed at Tehran’s Mehrabad International Airport.

According to an anonymous source from Iran’s Civil Aviation Organisation, Mahan Air subsequently has sought to obtain more Azman Air Airbus A340-642 widebody enger aircraft. On December 11, 2024, French authorities intercepted one such plane at the Châteauroux airport 150 miles south of Paris as it was preparing to fly to Kaduna, where Azman Air intended to store it for several days before changing its registration code and then flying it to Iran.

“Mahan Air operates 22 Airbus A340s, including four leased to Conviasa, the flag carrier of Venezuela. The A340s are crucial for Mahan Air to transport cargo and engers to destinations in China and Thailand, as well as to airlift Qods Force personnel, proxies, and weapons to Beirut, and previously to Damascus, Aleppo, and the Russian-Syrian airbase at Hmeimim as well.

“The A340-642 series is the largest of the Airbus A340 variants, with a capacity of 308 engers. The use of Rolls Royce Trent 556-61 engines makes it easier for Mahan Air to maintain these aircraft, compared to the smaller A340 variants powered by American-made General Electric CFM56-5C4 engines. This ease of maintenance is a key factor driving Mahan Air’s efforts to acquire more of these aircraft through Nigeria.

The Nigeria example highlights how the U.S. intelligence community must better monitor aircraft movements in African countries, particularly in the sub-Saharan region, to identify planes that Iran may seek as part of its sanctions evasion operation.

Azman Air is just one example of the many companies involved in Mahan Air’s recent sanction evasion operations in Africa. Macka Invest in Gambia and PT Asia Global Airlines from Indonesia also have helped Mahan Air and other Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-linked Iranian airlines to acquire airplanes ing them in countries like the Republic of Congo, Burundi , Burkina Faso, Nigeria, and Gambia before smuggling them into Iran. By imposing sanctions on these companies, the U.S. Department of the Treasury can also impede the Iranian aviation smuggling networks.

“President-elect Donald Trump can reimpose ‘Maximum Pressure’ to tighten the screws on the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its extensive business empire but if his policy is to succeed, he needs to identify Iran’s sophisticated strategies to evade such sanctions. Plugging the Revolutionary Guards’ exploitation of African airlines would be a good place to start.”

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2024/12/allegation-against-azman-air-serious-relevant-directorate-to-launch-investigation-fg/

TINUBU over to you,

PBAT must beam his searchlight on these Northern owned airlines trust me, religion is the bane of this country.

Imagine assisting Iran to evade sanctions thereby risking Nigerian interests who we stand to benefit more from than a terrorist state of IRAN.

These Buhari really empowered his Northern Brothers so much they have resources to do whatever they want.

SadiqBabaSani:
TINUBU over to you,

PBAT must beam his searchlight on these Northern owned airlines trust me, religion is the bane of this country.

Imagine assisting Iran to evade sanctions thereby risking Nigerian interests who we stand to benefit more from than a terrorist state of IRAN.

The allegations are weighty and should be thoroughly investigated.

😳

After investigations Wetin go come out? Nothing. No be 9ja again

Like I always say, these guys know their audience. You can't engage in such activities without key players being involved

Nigeria didnt santion Iran

What the airline did was legal.

Negligence of Power at every corner. Looks like country is at the mercy of anybody that swoops in to have their share any day. Shameful. Terrifying news

Islamic terrorists are in every sector and agency in this country.

Serious allegations

Sources of funds for terrorism , northern Nigeria is gone

These guys want to invite international sanctions on Nigeria

🍿

Ok o

SadiqBabaSani:
TINUBU over to you,

PBAT must beam his searchlight on these Northern owned airlines trust me, religion is the bane of this country.

Imagine assisting Iran to evade sanctions thereby risking Nigerian interests who we stand to benefit more from than a terrorist state of IRAN.

These Buhari really empowered his Northern Brothers so much they have resources to do whatever they want.

I think Israel, US, and should focus the attention of their Intelligence Agencies on Northern Nigeria.

On December 7, there was a media report that no Foreign Military Base will be allowed in Nigeria. The link is below

https://nairaland.unblockandhide.com/8287248/no-foreign-military-base-allowed/1#133200092

I said the Northern Elites told Tinubu not to allow US and move their base to Nigeria as they are being driven from some Africa countries with affiliations to Northern Nigeria. I said in South West Nigeria we have no problem with US and having their military base in our region. I said this because of our Atlantic Ocean and Air Space and because of encroachment from terrorism activities in these African Countries. While I considered it as disrespectful on the part of Kemi by replying VP Shettima, I also seem to see reason in her response as a Yoruba lady. The North is always placing the interest of Niger Republic, Chad, Northern Cameroun , Guinea Bissau, Mali, Senegal, Sudan and Burkina Faso above that of the Southern Nigeria. In fact, the Northern Elites don't even know the Southern Nigeria exist when fighting for the interest of Niger Republic and Chad. During Buhari regime the Governor of Bauchi said they want to use Nigeria's resources to prosper the interest of the Fulanis across Africa.

Rather than Bode George defending Obasanjo who is a coward enemy of the South West, the retired Military Officers from the South West should get their acts together. Gen Akinrinade (Akinrogun of IFE) is already old. Prof Soyinka is already old. Baba Akintoye is already old. This transaction between Azman and Iran though not officially confirmed is more than Business . I know the US CIA and Israeli Intelligence Agencies will get the entire facts.

I will stop here.

Nice development. The US will sanction Nigeria and the useless naira will diminish, end of an era.

motymop:
Nigeria didnt santion Iran

What the airline did was legal.

I'm actually confused.... If the US doesn't like Iran and wouldn't do business with Iran, how is it a crime if a Nigerian airline decides to sell a plane to an Iranian airline?

Fr

F

Bf

Although I am not a er of Iran. But why is it that with all the money Arab countries claim to poses, why can't they build their aviation industry from scratch. You are being sanctioned by the west, yet you still depend on the west. Money can't buy brains in the end.

They don't care so far it further their Islamic nonsense

The northern elites need to be watched. They don't care about welfare but can use their billions to finance Islamic agenda even financing terrorism

obailala:
I'm actually confused.... If the US doesn't like Iran and wouldn't do business with Iran, how is it a crime if a Nigerian airline decides to sell a plane to an Iranian airline?

The Enemy of your friend must be your own enemy too by force.

If Nigeria doesn't sanction this airline, watch how international organisations sanction Nigeria.

motymop:
Nigeria didnt santion Iran

What the airline did was legal.

Did they pay customs duty to export the airplane out of Nigeria? Was it legally exported? Show the papers that what the airline did was legal

motymop:
Nigeria didnt santion Iran

What the airline did was legal.

Iran is sanctioned by UN. Can Nigeria withstand American repercussions?

motymop:
Nigeria didnt santion Iran

What the airline did was legal.

Then why didn't Azman Air boldly inform the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority that it was delivering the aircraft to Iran rather lying it was heading to Kabul, Afghanistan?

In the midst of their own potential terrorist activities, they are busy fighting against a law abiding citizen from operating an airstrip. An airstrip he is financing without government patronage.
The scourge of the earth.

obailala:
I'm actually confused.... If the US doesn't like Iran and wouldn't do business with Iran, how is it a crime if a Nigerian airline decides to sell a plane to an Iranian airline?

Because Nigeria does not own a plane!
Azman air bought a plane from a country which has sanctioned Iran
and then delivered the plane to Iran, essentially Azman air has turn itself
into a smuggling business.

Azman lied in its purchase contract.

In short, it is illegal to help Iran facilitate any deal that involve the US dollar or Euro.
Now, Azman air is essentially a dead airline because it will never be allowed to buy
western Aircraft or spare parts again.

Now, how does this concern Nigeria?
If Azman air is culpable and the authority does nothing about it,
it could be assumed that the Nigerian state secretly backs such deal and thus all our
airlines could become target of various sanctions which will be very bad for our growing
airline industry in of aircraft or parts procurement.

Personally, I think Iran should be on Nigeria's blacklist for backing subversive movement like Zakzaky's and
smuggling arms to non-state actors in Nigeria.