The Nigerian Air Force has addressed reports surrounding the diversion of its C-130 military transport aircraft to Burkina Faso, insisting the landing was a precautionary safety measure and not an airspace violation as previously alleged.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the crew acted strictly in line with international aviation standards after detecting a technical issue shortly after departing Lagos on December 8.
The aircraft, which was on a scheduled ferry mission to Portugal, diverted to the nearest available airfield—Bobo-Dioulasso in Burkina Faso—where it made a safe precautionary landing.
Ejodame confirmed that all personnel on board were “safe and receiving cordial treatment” from Burkinabè authorities, despite earlier claims from the Sahel States Confederation that the aircraft entered its airspace without authorization.
“The Nigerian Air Force wishes to clarify reports regarding the diversion of a NAF C-130 aircraft during its ferry mission to Portugal on 8 December 2025,” the statement read. “Following takeoff from Lagos, the crew observed a technical concern which necessitated a precautionary landing in Bobo-Dioulasso, the nearest airfield, in accordance with standard safety procedures and international aviation protocols.”
He added that arrangements were underway to enable the aircraft and crew to continue the mission once technical assessments were completed.
The Air Force stressed that it remains fully committed to maintaining high operational and safety standards and expressed appreciation for the assistance rendered by Burkina Faso during the incident.
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Earlier on Monday, Burkina Faso’s government had alleged that the Nigerian aircraft, carrying 11 military personnel, breached its airspace before being forced to land.
The claim was published by the country’s state-run news agency, Agence d’Information du Burkina, which cited a statement from the Confederation of Sahel States.
NAF has now moved to dispel that report, maintaining that the diversion was purely safety-related and procedurally compliant with global aviation norms.