By Ayomide Otitoju
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Friday confirmed that its C-130 transport aircraft, which made a precautionary landing in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, has resumed its journey after undergoing safety checks, easing concerns over the status of the aircraft and its crew.
In a statement, NAF spokesman, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the aircraft departed Bobo-Dioulasso on Friday evening and arrived safely in Accra, Ghana, in line with an updated flight plan.
“The Nigerian Air Force is pleased to confirm that its C-130 aircraft, which made a precautionary landing in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, departed this evening and arrived safely in Accra in line with the updated flight plan,” the statement said.
Ejodame added that the aircraft is now preparing for onward movement to Portugal via Banjul and Casablanca, where it is scheduled to undergo routine depot maintenance.
The update follows heightened public attention after reports of the aircraft’s unexpected landing in Burkina Faso, which triggered diplomatic engagement between Nigeria and Burkinabé authorities. Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, subsequently led a delegation to Ouagadougou on the directive of President Bola Tinubu, where he met with Burkina Faso’s leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, and later briefed journalists on the outcome of the discussions.
The NAF reiterated that the landing was purely precautionary and carried out in line with international aviation safety standards, stressing that there was no emergency and that the aircraft remained serviceable throughout.
Providing further reassurance, the Air Force said all personnel on board were safe and that the aircraft was fit to continue its mission.
“The Nigerian Air Force appreciates the concern and support expressed by members of the public and assures Nigerians that all personnel remain safe, the aircraft is serviceable, and the Service continues to operate to the highest standards of safety and professionalism,” the statement added.
Reports had earlier suggested that the crew was detained after the Alliance of Sahel States—comprising Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso—raised concerns over the aircraft’s presence in Burkinabé airspace. The alliance claimed in a joint statement that the aircraft, carrying 11 military personnel, did not have clearance to fly over Burkina Faso and described the landing as an “unfriendly act.”
The NAF, however, dismissed the allegation, maintaining that the aircraft landed due to a technical concern observed shortly after takeoff from Lagos.
“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,” Ejodame said.
