Nigerian Air Force C-130 Crew Continues Mission from Burkina Faso to Portugal

Abuja: The Nigerian Air Force C-130 crew, previously detained but released in Burkina Faso on Thursday, has resumed its flight to Portugal.The crew, comprised 11 Nigerian personnel, was assigned to ferry the C-130 aircraft to Portugal for scheduled maintenance and servicing. The aircraft landed in Bobo-Dioulasso on Dec. 8, 2025, as a precaution after experiencing a technical issue. Mr. Kimiebi Ebienfa, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told the journalists that, after Nigerian and Burkina Faso authorities engaged, the crew resumed its journey to Portugal. Ebienfa said a high-powered Nigerian delegation, dispatched by President Bola Tinubu to Burkina Faso, secured the crew’s release through diplomatic interventions. Foreign Affairs Minister Amb. Yusuf Tuggar led the delegation, which included senior officials from intelligence, the air force, ECOWAS representation, and the foreign ministry.