Nigerian Air Force C-130 crew resumes mission from Burkina Faso to Portugal

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) C-130 aircraft crew that was earlier detained in Burkina Faso and subsequently released on Thursday has resumed its journey to Portugal to complete its mission.

The 11-member crew was en route to Portugal for scheduled aircraft maintenance when the aircraft developed a technical issue, forcing it to make a precautionary emergency landing in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, on December 8, 2025.

Following the landing, the crew was temporarily held by Burkina Faso authorities. However, after diplomatic engagements between both countries, the personnel were released and allowed to continue their mission with the same aircraft.

The Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Kimiebi Ebienfa, confirmed the development to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), stating that the crew departed Burkina Faso for Portugal after the successful conclusion of diplomatic efforts.

According to Ebienfa, the release of the crew was secured through the intervention of a high-powered Nigerian delegation dispatched to Burkina Faso by President Bola Tinubu.

The delegation was led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador 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.

The successful resolution of the matter underscores Nigeria’s diplomatic engagement and cooperation with Burkina Faso authorities.