₦airaland Forum

The Nigerian Air Force said on Tuesday that following the emergency landing of its C-130 aircraft in Burkina Faso over technical concerns on Monday, plans are ongoing to resume the flight to Portugal as scheduled.

Recall that the Burkina Faso authorities had claimed that the aircraft violated its airspace, leading to its being detained along with its aircrew and personnel on board the aircraft.

A follow-up statement by Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of NAF Public Relations and Information, titled ‘Safe Precautionary Landing of NAF C-130 Aircraft in Burkina Faso’, made this known.

He said, “Plans are ongoing to resume the mission as scheduled,” adding that the NAF remains committed to strict compliance with operational procedures and safety standards.

The statement reads, “The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) wishes to clarify reports regarding the diversion of a NAF C-130 aircraft during its ferry mission to Portugal on 8 December 2025.

“Following take-off from Lagos, the crew observed a technical concern which necessitated a precautionary landing in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, the nearest airfield, in accordance with standard safety procedures and international aviation protocols.

“The NAF crew is safe and has received cordial treatment from the host authorities.

“Plans are ongoing to resume the mission as scheduled. The Nigerian Air Force appreciates the support received during this period and assures the public that NAF remains professionally committed to strict compliance with operational procedures and safety standards, ensuring the protection of its personnel while fulfilling its constitutional mandate.

Earlier on Tuesday an NAF statement denied violating Burkina Faso’s airspace, clarifying that the aircraft actually made a safety precautionary landing following technical concerns.

The statement giving the clarification was titled “Safe Precautionary Landing Of NAF C-130 Aircraft in Burkina Faso”.reads, “The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) wishes to clarify reports regarding the diversion of a NAF C-130 aircraft during its ferry mission to Portugal on 8 December 2025.

“Following takeoff from Lagos, the crew observed a technical concern which necessitated a precautionary landing in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, the nearest airfield, in accordance with standard safety procedures and international aviation protocols.

“The NAF crew is safe and has received cordial treatment from the host authorities.

“Plans are ongoing to resume the mission as scheduled.

“The Nigerian Air Force appreciates the support received during this period and assures the public that NAF remains professionally committed to strict compliance with operational procedures and safety standards, ensuring the protection of its personnel while fulfilling its constitutional mandate.”

The Burkina Faso authorities had claimed they detained the Nigerian Air Force C130 aircraft after it allegedly entered the country’s airspace without clearance, stirring fresh diplomatic concern in the Sahel region.

A report by Agence d’Information du Burkina said the aircraft was carrying 11 Nigerian military personnel, including two crew members and nine passengers, when it made an emergency landing.

Officials of the Confederation of Sahel States said their investigation showed the plane did not have authorisation to fly over Burkina Faso.

They described the episode as a breach of national sovereignty and expressed strong displeasure over the unauthorised entry.

The regional body also announced that its air and anti-aircraft systems were on high alert, warning that any further airspace violations would be met with force.

Biodun556:
Nay sayers carrying fake news won't like this information

Burkifaso doesn't have advanced j
Aircraft that can intercept a jet, the only possibility is that the C-130 made emergency landing

obama30:
Say what you know not exaggeration.
Burkina Faso, as part of the Sahel Alliance (AES), claims to have upgraded its air defense with Russian support, reportedly operating advanced Russian fighter jets (like Su-25s or similar) and deploying high-tech Turkish drones and missile systems, capable of intercepting unauthorized aircraft like the Nigerian C-130 cargo plane recently forced down, though specific advanced jets (like Su-30s/57s) remain unverified and likely aspirational, with their actual operational capacity focused on modernizing older Soviet-era planes.

iwaeda:
Quickest route to Europe is through Chad, Algeria, I fly regularly.

Emu4life:
Why is Burkina Faso behaving as if they intercepted the Jet

reiddecuti:
Nigeria army. Who still bank on their word.

Trying to carry out a covert operation and it backfired and they're here denying. It's been there retoric, first deny, then accept.


Nigeria! Funny country indeed...

Biodun556:
Nay sayers carrying fake news won't like this information

Burkinafaso doesn't have advanced j
Aircraft that can intercept a jet, the only possibility is that the C-130 made emergency landing . In fact burkinafaso doesn't have any fighter jet.

obama30:
Say what you know not exaggeration.
Burkina Faso, as part of the Sahel Alliance (AES), claims to have upgraded its air defense with Russian support, reportedly operating advanced Russian fighter jets (like Su-25s or similar) and deploying high-tech Turkish drones and missile systems, capable of intercepting unauthorized aircraft like the Nigerian C-130 cargo plane recently forced down, though specific advanced jets (like Su-30s/57s) remain unverified and likely aspirational, with their actual operational capacity focused on modernizing older Soviet-era planes.

Jayhome24:
We told them it's just one of those things but losers are already crying.

Shame on you all.

Mabuggi88:
Lamba
Niger or Chad to Algeria and then Portugal, nothing can take you to Bokinafaso if you are traveling by air from Nigeria to Portugal

Brownseen:
Lamba!!

🤣🤣

Data boys go say them don win 🥇


Watch them coming out from their holes now
🤣🤣

iwaeda:
Quickest route to Europe is through Chad, Algeria, I fly regularly.

Christistruth00:
They have been weeping and wailing all over Social Media since the Benin Republic Coup
was put down with help from Nigeria and Ecowas

They are probably busy reporting Nigeria to Putin because of it as we speak

They are such shameless crybabies

YesDaddyTill203:
Glad to know that the Nigerian military still has some capabilities.
Proud to be a Nigerian.
Buhari invested a lot in the military; Tinubu should do the same. In this present age, you need some military might to flex.
The US is doing all that garagara simply because of its economic and military strength.