The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has clarified that its C-130 transport aircraft made a precautionary landing in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, on Monday after the crew detected a technical concern shortly after takeoff from Lagos.
The Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.
Ejodame said that the aircraft was on a ferry mission to Portugal for scheduled maintenance when the crew opted to divert in line with standard safety procedures and international aviation protocols.
He said the aircrew landed safely and had since received cordial support from Burkinabe authorities, adding that plans were ongoing to resume the mission once technical checks were completed.
Ejodame reassured the public that the NAF remained committed to strict compliance with operational and safety standards while ensuring the protection of its personnel in the discharge of its constitutional duties.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has stated that it is investigating the incident following reports from Burkina Faso that a Nigerian Air Force C-130 aircraft was forced to land in Bobo Dioulasso after allegedly violating the country’s airspace.
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday in Abuja, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, explained that officials were still gathering details on the matter.
It was earlier reported that the Government of Burkina Faso accused a Nigerian Air Force aircraft carrying eleven soldiers of violating its airspace and being forced to land in the country on Monday.
The incident, which occurred on Monday, was first reported by the Agence d’Information du Burkina, which published a statement from the Confederation of Sahel States.
According to the statement, the aircraft, carrying two crew members and nine soldiers, made an emergency landing while operating in Burkinabe airspace.
The Sahel regional body said its investigation revealed “the absence of authorisation to fly over the territory of Burkina Faso for this military device.”
It added, “The Confederation of Sahel States informs the public that a C-130 aircraft belonging to the Air Force of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was forced to land today, December 8, 2025, in Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, following an in-flight emergency while operating in Burkinabe airspace.
“The military aircraft had two crew members and nine passengers on board, all military personnel.”
The Confederation condemned the incident as a breach of sovereignty, saying it “condemns with the utmost firmness this violation of its airspace and the sovereignty of its member States.”
It also warned that its air and anti-aircraft units have been placed on maximum alert and “are authorised to neutralise any aircraft that would violate the Confederate space.”
