Nigerian Military Aircraft Landed In Burkina Due To Technical Faults — NAF

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has clarified that NAF C-130 aircraft on mission to Portugal landed in Burkina Faso on 8 December, 2025, due to technical concern.

NAF Spokesman, Air Cdre Ehimen Ejodame, stated this on Tuesday while responding to reports of grounded Nigerian military aircraft in Burkina Faso by the Confederation of the States of the Sahel (AES).

The NAF explained that, “Following takeoff from Lagos, the crew observed a technical concern which necessitated a precautionary landing in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso being the nearest airfield, in accordance with standard safety procedures and international aviation protocols.
“NAF crew is safe and have received cordial treatment from the host authorities,” he said.

Ejodame added that plans were ongoing to resume the mission as scheduled.

“The Nigerian Air Force appreciates the support received during this period and assures the public that NAF remains professionally committed to strict compliance with operational procedures and safety standards, ensuring the protection of its personnel while fulfilling its constitutional mandate,” he said.

Earlier, the confederation of the States of the Sahel had reported that an aircraft belonging to the Air Force of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a C-130, was forced to land on 8 December 2025, in Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, following an in-flight emergency while it was operating in Burkinabe airspace.

A statement signed by the President of the transition, Head of State of Mali and President of the Conference of the States of the Sahel (AES), General Assimi Goita, said the military aircraft had two crew members and nine passengers on board, all of them military personnel.

“An investigation was immediately opened by the competent Burkinabe authorities, which confirmed that this military aircraft had no authorisation to fly over Burkinabe territory.

“The Confederation of the States of the Sahel firmly condemns this violation of its airspace and of the sovereignty of its Member States.

“In the face of this unfriendly act carried out in disregard of international law and international civil and/or military aviation rules, measures have been taken to ensure the security of the confederal airspace, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its Member States, as well as the safety of the populations of the AES Confederation”.

He added that following instructions from the Heads of State, the air and anti-air defenses of the confederal space have been placed on maximum alert.

“In accordance with the Declaration of the College of Heads of State dated 22 December 2024, they have been authorised to neutralize any aircraft that violates confederal airspace”.