A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) C-130 transport aircraft and its crew have safely arrived at an Air Force base in Accra, Ghana, en route to Portugal for scheduled depot maintenance, the NAF has confirmed.
The aircraft, which had earlier made a precautionary landing at Bobo-Dioulasso in Burkina Faso on December 8, resumed its international journey on Friday evening, following a period of diplomatic engagement between Nigerian and Burkinabe authorities.
According to a statement by NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the decision to divert to Burkina Faso was purely for safety reasons after the crew detected a technical issue shortly after departing Lagos. The landing was carried out in line with recognised international aviation safety procedures and standard military protocols.
“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,” Ejodame said. “All personnel remain safe, the aircraft is serviceable, and the Service continues to operate to the highest standards of safety and professionalism.”
The aircraft’s revised flight plan includes further stops in Banjul, The Gambia, and Casablanca, Morocco, before reaching its final destination in Portugal for routine depot maintenance. Trending News
The precautionary landing in Burkina Faso had briefly drawn public and diplomatic attention, with some media reporting that the aircraft and crew were held by authorities. However, government sources and statements from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the situation as resolved, underscoring that the stopover was technical and non-hostile in nature.
The safe continuation of the flight reflects coordinated efforts by Nigerian diplomatic and military officials to clarify the circumstances and ensure the aircraft’s onward passage.
