NAF C-130 reaches Ghana after Burkina Faso detention

‎The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) C-130 aircraft and its 11 crew members have safely arrived in Accra, Ghana. The aircraft departed Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, on Friday evening, after being released by Burkinabe authorities due to the intervention of President Bola Tinubu’s special envoy.
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The aircraft arrived at Ghana for refueling and logistical preparation before proceeding to Portugal for the scheduled depot maintenance.
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The incident began on December 8, 2025, when the C-130, with the registration number NAF 913 made a precautionary landing in Bobo-Dioulasso due to technical issues detected after departing Lagos. The Confederation of Sahel States (AES), a bloc including Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger viewed the emergency landing as an unfriendly act and a violation of their airspace, while the NAF emphasized that the diversion followed international aviation safety protocols.
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‎The 11 personnel were detained for over a week amidst online rumors of espionage. However, Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar met with Burkina Faso’s leader, Ibrahim Traoré, on December 17 to resolve the diplomatic misunderstanding amicably which led to their release.
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‎NAF spokesperson Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame confirmed that all personnel are safe, the aircraft is serviceable, and it is now operating under an updated flight plan.
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‎To avoid further diplomatic friction, the aircraft is bypassing certain airspaces, by routing through Banjul, Gambia and Casablanca, Morocco, before reaching its final destination in Portugal.
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