The Nigerian Air Force C-130 crew, who were earlier detained in Burkina Faso and released on Thursday, have resumed their mission to Portugal with the same aircraft. The crew, consisting of 11 Nigerian personnel, was en route to Portugal for scheduled aircraft maintenance when they made an emergency landing in Bobo-Dioulasso on December 8, 2025. The landing was described as a precautionary measure following a technical issue with the aircraft.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, told the News Agency of Nigeria that the plane and crew would continue to Portugal for maintenance 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 efforts by a high-powered Nigerian delegation sent to Burkina Faso by President Bola Tinubu. The team was led by Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar and included the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed, the Chief of Policy and Plans of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal A. Y. Abdullahi, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to ECOWAS, Ambassador Olawale Awe, and the Chief of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Wahab Akande.
Burkina Faso had released the Nigerian aircraft and the 11 personnel on Wednesday. The C-130 had made a precautionary landing due to technical issues, in accordance with international aviation safety protocols, according to NAF Director of Public Relations, Ehimen Ejodame. However, the Mali junta leader, Assimi Goita, speaking for the Confederation of Sahel States, criticised the landing as an “unfriendly act carried out in defiance of international law” and warned that aircraft violating their airspace would be neutralised.
Following diplomatic engagement between the Nigerian delegation and Burkina Faso junta leader Ibrahim Traoré in Ouagadougou, the Nigerian government confirmed the release of the aircraft and crew. Foreign Affairs spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa briefed reporters Wednesday night, stating, “Yes, they have been released.”
Source: https://punchng.com/
