The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has confirmed that its C-130 transport aircraft, which was earlier detained by authorities in Burkina Faso, has resumed its ferry mission to Portugal after being released.
The aircraft, which was conveying 11 Nigerian soldiers, departed safely from Burkina Faso and arrived in Accra, Ghana, on Friday, marking a key step towards its final destination in Portugal for scheduled depot maintenance.
According to the NAF, the C-130 aircraft made a precautionary landing in the city of Bobo-Dioulasso on December 8 after experiencing technical issues mid-flight. Explaining the incident, the Director of Public Relations and Information of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the crew acted in accordance with international aviation safety standards by diverting to the nearest suitable airfield.
“The decision to land was taken purely on safety grounds and in line with established international aviation protocols,” Ejodame said, emphasising that the action was routine and precautionary.
Despite this, the aircraft and its crew were subsequently detained by the Burkina Faso authorities, a development that sparked diplomatic concern. The leader of Mali’s military junta, Assimi Goïta, speaking on behalf of the Confederation of Sahel States, later described the landing as an “unfriendly act carried out in defiance of international law”, further complicating the situation.
Following days of diplomatic engagement, the matter was resolved after a Nigerian government delegation, led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, held talks with Burkina Faso’s junta leader, Ibrahim Traoré, in Ouagadougou on December 17. The meeting paved the way for the release of both the aircraft and its crew.
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In a statement issued on Friday, the NAF confirmed that the aircraft had flown from Burkina Faso to Accra in line with an updated flight plan and was preparing for onward movement to Portugal. The remaining legs of the journey will take the aircraft through Banjul, The Gambia, and Casablanca, Morocco.
“The Nigerian Air Force is pleased to confirm that its C-130 aircraft, which made a precautionary landing in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, departed and arrived safely in Accra, in preparation for onward movement to Portugal for its scheduled depot maintenance,” Ejodame stated.
He assured Nigerians that all personnel on board are safe and that the aircraft remains serviceable. The NAF spokesman also expressed gratitude to members of the public for their concern and support throughout the incident.
Ejodame added that the Nigerian Air Force remains committed to operating with the highest standards of safety, professionalism and adherence to international aviation regulations, despite the challenges encountered during the mission.
The incident has drawn attention to the increasingly complex diplomatic and security dynamics in the Sahel region, even as Nigeria continues to engage with neighbouring countries through dialogue and established international protocols.
