The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said its C-130 aircraft diverted to Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso on 8 December 2025 after a technical fault was detected following takeoff from Lagos. According to its spokesperson, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the pilot opted for a precautionary landing at the nearest airfield in line with international aviation safety protocols.
NAF confirmed that the crew are safe and have received “cordial treatment from the host authorities,” and reassured the public that their mission to Portugal will resume as scheduled. The statement aims to dispel claims by Confederation of the Sahel States (AES) that the aircraft violated its airspace — AES had threatened to “neutralise any aircraft that would violate the confederal space.”