The crew of a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) C-130 aircraft has been released. Previously detained in Burkina Faso, the team is now proceeding with its original mission to Portugal.
The 11-person crew was held following an emergency landing earlier this month. Authorities confirmed that the team will not return to Nigeria immediately. Instead, they will fly the aircraft to Portugal for scheduled maintenance. This was the original plan before the diplomatic incident occurred.
Emergency Landing and Diplomatic Fallout
The saga began on December 8, 2025. The C-130 aircraft experienced a technical issue while en route to Europe. Consequently, the pilots executed a precautionary landing in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso. This action aligned with standard aviation safety protocols.
However, the landing triggered a tense standoff. The Confederation of Sahel States condemned the action. Malian leader Assimi Goïta described the entry into their airspace as an “unfriendly act.” Furthermore, the coalition called it a violation of international law. They warned that unauthorized aircraft risked being neutralized in the future.
High-Level Intervention
The resolution came after a diplomatic push. President Bola Tinubu dispatched a high-powered delegation to Ouagadougou to de-escalate the situation.
The team was led by:
- Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs
- The Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency
- The NAF Chief of Policy and Plans
Following successful talks with Burkina Faso’s interim leader, Ibrahim Traoré, the release was secured. Both the personnel and the aircraft were freed on Wednesday.
Mission Back on Track
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the diplomatic hurdle has been cleared. A spokesperson stated that the crew’s itinerary remains unchanged despite the delay.
“They are not coming to Nigeria, but proceeding to Portugal for the servicing of the aircraft,” the official confirmed.
The aircraft is now set to undergo necessary maintenance checks in Portugal. This flight brings a close to a tense two-week episode in regional relations.
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