JUST IN: Air Force Discloses What Happened to Burkina Faso Detained Nigerian C-130 Plane

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has disclosed recent developments around it C-130 aircraft which was recently detained alongside its 11 man crew by the military junta in Burkina Faso.

It took the intervention of Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Idris Tuggar, who led a delegation to Ouagadougou, capital of Burkina Faso to meet with the country’s Head of State, Ibrahim Traore, for the aircraft to be released.

In a statement on Friday, December 26, 2025, NAF through its Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, disclosed that the aircraft has arrived safely at the OGMA maintenance facility in Lisbon, Portugal, for scheduled depot maintenance.

He confirmed that the aircraft was taken out to the facility for scheduled depot maintenance based on the facility’s track record in military aircraft servicing and maintenance.

According to him, the C-130 (NAF 913) arrived on Friday, December 26, 2025, following a successfully executed ferry flight that transited through Banjul, The Gambia, and Casablanca, Morocco, in line with an updated flight plan and established aviation safety procedures.

He also said the aircraft and its crew completed the journey without incident, marking the final phase of the aircraft’s movement for the planned maintenance.

“All personnel are safe and in high spirits,” the statement said.

The Nigerian Air Force expressed appreciation to host authorities along the transit route for their cooperation and support, while reaffirming its commitment to the highest standards of safety, professionalism, and operational accountability.