NIGERIAN AIR FORCE PILOTS CONTINUE JOURNEY TO PORTUGAL AFTER RELEASE IN BURKINA FASO

Nigerian Air Force (NAF) pilots and crew who were briefly detained in Burkina Faso have resumed their journey to Portugal after being released by Burkinabe authorities.

The C-130 aircraft carrying 11 Nigerian military personnel was on its way to Portugal for scheduled aircraft maintenance when it made an emergency landing in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, due to technical issues.

After intensive diplomatic engagement led by Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, in coordination with Burkina Faso’s military leadership, the crew and aircraft were released.

Officials confirmed the flight has now continued toward Portugal to complete the planned maintenance and mission, with no detentions or further issues reported.

📌 Key points:

The NAF C-130 and crew were detained following an emergency landing.

Diplomatic talks led to their release and resumption of the journey.

The aircraft is now en route to Portugal for maintenance as originally planned.