Nearly two weeks after a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) C-130 transport aircraft made a precautionary landing in Burkina Faso, the detained crew and aircraft have been released following high-level diplomatic engagement between the two countries.
The incident, which sparked regional diplomatic attention, occurred on December 8, 2025, when the C-130 — ferrying 11 Nigerian military personnel on a routine mission to Portugal — developed a technical fault shortly after departing Lagos. The crew diverted to Bobo Dioulasso Airport in Burkina Faso to ensure the safety of personnel and the aircraft, in strict adherence to international aviation safety procedures, the Nigerian Air Force said.
However, the emergency stop quickly escalated into a political dispute. The Confederation of Sahel States (CSS) — a bloc of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger — described the landing as an “unfriendly act” allegedly carried out in violation of international law. Mali’s junta leader, Colonel Assimi Goïta, speaking on behalf of the alliance, warned that member states were authorised to “neutralise any aircraft” deemed to have violated their sovereign airspace.
For several days, the status of the aircraft and the 11 crew members remained uncertain amid competing narratives. While Burkina Faso’s authorities initially detained the personnel, Nigerian officials maintained that the landing was a safety-driven diversion, emphasising that the aircraft had acted in line with standard procedures and that the crew were treated cordially by host authorities.
Diplomatic pressure mounted, with the Federal Government intensifying engagements through regional and international channels. The House of Representatives even urged the government to leverage diplomatic avenues with the African Union (AU) and ECOWAS to resolve the standoff.
On Wednesday, December 17, 2025, a Nigerian delegation led by Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar met in Ouagadougou with Burkina Faso’s junta leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré. Following sustained talks, authorities in Ouagadougou agreed to release the C-130 aircraft and its crew. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the development later that evening.
In a statement, Tuggar described the outcome as a testament to the effectiveness of diplomatic dialogue in addressing sensitive issues. Both sides also agreed to pursue enhanced bilateral cooperation and regular consultations to deepen political, security and economic ties.
With the matter now resolved, the Nigerian Air Force plans to resume the aircraft’s original mission to Portugal for scheduled maintenance. The peaceful resolution brings to a close a diplomatic flashpoint in West Africa at a time of complex regional tensions.
