The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has denied that its C-130 transport plane violated Burkinabe airspace, saying the aircraft made a precautionary landing on Sunday after detecting a technical fault.
In a statement issued Tuesday, NAF’s Director of Public Relations, Ehimen Ejodame, explained that the plane was on a ferry mission to Portugal before diverting to the nearest safe airfield, Bobo-Dioulasso, immediately after takeoff from Lagos when the crew detected a technical issue.
All 11 personnel onboard, including crew and other military staff, remain safe and have been granted cordial treatment by Burkinabe authorities, the statement said.
NAF added that it remains committed to strict operational and safety standards.
The mission is expected to resume once the aircraft is cleared for takeoff.
The clarification comes in response to earlier reports by the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) that the aircraft had entered Burkina Faso’s airspace without authorization.
The Nigerian Air Force says the report is incorrect.
