The Nigerian Air Force, NAF, has clarified that its C-130 transport aircraft made a precautionary landing in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, on Monday after the crew detected a technical concern shortly after take-off from Lagos.
The Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja,said that the aircraft was on a ferry mission to Portugal for scheduled maintenance when the crew opted to divert in line with standard safety procedures and international aviation protocols.
He said the aircrew landed safely and had since received cordial support from Burkinabe authorities, adding that plans were ongoing to resume the mission once technical checks were completed.
Ejodame reassured the public that the NAF remained committed to strict compliance with operational and safety standards while ensuring the protection of its personnel in the discharge of its constitutional duties.
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Earlier reports indicate that Burkina Faso authorities grounded the C-130 military aircraft after it allegedly entered the country’s airspace without clearance.
According to Agence d’Information du Burkina, the aircraft was conveying 11 Nigerian military personnel — comprising two crew members and nine passengers — when it reportedly made an emergency landing.
Officials of the Confederation of Sahel States disclosed that preliminary investigations indicated the aircraft lacked authorisation to fly through Burkina Faso’s airspace.
The authorities described the development as a violation of national sovereignty and expressed strong displeasure over the unauthorised incursion.
The regional bloc further announced that its air defence and anti-aircraft systems had been placed on high alert, warning that any future breaches would attract decisive military response. NAN
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