The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has confirmed that its C-130 aircraft has successfully arrived in Portugal for scheduled depot maintenance.
In a statement issued on Friday, NAF spokesperson, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the aircraft landed safely at the OGMA maintenance facility in Lisbon after completing its ferry flight.
Ejodame explained that the flight transited through Banjul in The Gambia and Casablanca, Morocco, in line with an updated flight plan and standard aviation safety procedures.
He noted that both the aircraft and crew arrived without any incident, marking the final stage of the aircraft’s movement for routine maintenance.
According to him, all personnel involved are safe and in good condition, adding that the Air Force appreciates the support and cooperation of authorities in countries visited during the transit.
The aircraft had earlier landed safely in Banjul on December 23 while en route to Portugal for the maintenance exercise.
On December 8, the C-130 made a precautionary landing in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, following a technical concern during the flight.
At the time, authorities in Burkina Faso temporarily detained the aircraft and crew, with the Alliance of Sahel States—comprising Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso—claiming the aircraft lacked clearance to fly over Burkinabe airspace.
However, the Nigerian Air Force clarified that the landing was precautionary and carried out in line with international aviation safety standards, stressing that there was no emergency situation.
The aircraft was later released after a Nigerian government delegation, led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, held talks with Burkina Faso’s leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, in Ouagadougou.
