The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) C-130 aircraft and its crew, who were earlier detained in Burkina Faso, have resumed their mission to Portugal for scheduled maintenance.
The 11-member crew had made an emergency landing in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, on December 8, 2025, due to a technical issue with the aircraft. The landing was described as a precautionary measure.
Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told the News Agency of Nigeria that the aircraft and crew would continue directly to Portugal as originally planned. “They are not coming to Nigeria, but proceeding to Portugal for the servicing of the aircraft. Will leave for Portugal today,” he said.
The release of the crew followed diplomatic interventions by a high-powered Nigerian delegation dispatched to Burkina Faso by President Bola Tinubu. The delegation was led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, and included the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed; the Chief of Policy and Plans, Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal A. Y. Abdullahi; Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to ECOWAS, Ambassador Olawale Awe; and the Chief of Protocol in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Wahab Akande.
The emergency landing had earlier drawn criticism from the Mali junta leader, Assimi Goita, representing the Confederation of Sahel States, who described it as an “unfriendly act carried out in defiance of international law” and warned that aircraft violating Sahel States’ airspace would be neutralised.
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NAF Director of Public Relations, Ehimen Ejodame, explained that the landing was made at the nearest airfield for safety, in line with international aviation protocols.
The Nigerian government confirmed the release of the aircraft and crew following a meeting between the Nigerian delegation and Burkina Faso’s junta leader, Ibrahim Traoré, in Ouagadougou. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson confirmed the development to reporters, saying, “Yes, they have been released.”
The C-130 and its crew are now continuing their journey to Portugal to undergo the scheduled aircraft maintenance.