Nigerian Air Force Crew Continues Portugal Mission Following Burkina Faso Release

The Nigerian Air Force C-130 crew earlier detained in Burkina Faso has resumed its mission to Portugal for scheduled aircraft maintenance, continuing the journey with the same aircraft.

The crew, made up of 11 Nigerian personnel, was en route to Portugal when the aircraft made an 44 landing in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, on December 8, 2025. The landing was described by Nigerian authorities as a precautionary measure taken after the aircraft developed a technical fault.

Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, confirmed that the aircraft and crew were cleared to proceed to Portugal as originally planned. He said the crew was not returning to Nigeria but departing directly from Burkina Faso to Portugal for the servicing of the aircraft.

The release of the aircraft and personnel followed diplomatic engagements by a high-powered Nigerian delegation sent 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 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 authorities had earlier held the aircraft and crew after the emergency landing. The Nigerian Air Force explained that the crew diverted to the nearest airfield in line with international aviation safety protocols.

However, Assimi Goita, Mali’s junta leader, speaking on behalf of the Confederation of Sahel States, described the landing as an unfriendly act and warned that aircraft violating the airspace of member states could be neutralised.

Despite the tensions, Nigerian officials confirmed that the aircraft and all 11 personnel were released following a meeting between the Nigerian delegation and Burkina Faso’s junta leader, Ibrahim Traoré, in Ouagadougou. Tuggar later briefed journalists on the outcome of the talks, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the release on Wednesday night.