The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has confirmed the safe arrival of its C-130 aircraft, NAF 913, at a maintenance facility in Lisbon, Portugal, concluding a carefully coordinated ferry flight.
The aircraft and crew had previously been detained in Burkina Faso on December 8 over alleged airspace violations, an incident the West African country described as a breach of its sovereignty.
The personnel and aircraft were released about 10 days later following diplomatic intervention by a high-level Nigerian delegation led by Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar, who met with Burkina Faso President Ibrahim Traoré and senior officials.
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In a statement on Friday, NAF spokesperson Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame said the aircraft arrived at OGMA maintenance facility after a transit that included stops in Banjul and Casablanca, conducted in accordance with an updated flight plan and international aviation safety standards.
“The Nigerian Air Force confirms that its C-130 aircraft (NAF 913) arrived safely at the maintenance facility, OGMA, in Lisbon, Portugal today, 26 December 2025,” Ejodame said.
He added, “The ferry flight was successfully completed, and the aircraft and crew arrived without incident, marking the final phase of the scheduled depot maintenance. All personnel are safe and remain in high spirits.”
Ejodame expressed appreciation for the cooperation of host authorities during the transit and reaffirmed the Air Force’s commitment to the highest standards of safety, professionalism, and operational accountability.
