NAF Clarifies C-130 Diversion

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has clarified reports circulating online about the diversion of one of its C-130 transport aircraft en route to Portugal, confirming that the crew made a precautionary landing in Burkina Faso after detecting a technical issue shortly after takeoff. The clarification was issued on Tuesday by the NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame.

According to the statement, the incident occurred on December 8, 2025, during a routine non-combat ferry mission. The aircraft had departed Lagos and was headed to Portugal for scheduled maintenance when the crew observed an abnormal system indication. In line with global aviation safety standards, they elected to divert to the nearest airfield, which was located in Burkina Faso.

Ejodame emphasised that the landing was precautionary, not an emergency, and that the crew handled the situation professionally. He added that the decision to land was part of NAF’s strict safety protocol, which requires aircrews to prioritise aircraft integrity and personnel safety whenever anomalies are detected in flight.

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The NAF spokesperson dismissed speculation claiming the aircraft was forced to land due to more serious complications, stressing that the public should rely on verified information rather than social media narratives. He explained that after landing safely, the aircraft underwent initial troubleshooting by NAF engineers, who are working in coordination with Burkina Faso aviation authorities and the manufacturer’s technical partners.

Ejodame also noted that arrangements are being made for further assessment to determine whether repairs can be carried out on-site or if the aircraft will be moved to a dedicated maintenance facility. He assured Nigerians that the C-130 fleet remains operational and that the incident has not affected ongoing national or regional air operations.

The statement reaffirmed the NAF’s commitment to transparency and operational safety, pointing out that precautionary landings are common in military and civilian aviation worldwide. Ejodame said the timely action taken by the crew prevented a potential escalation and demonstrated the effectiveness of NAF’s training and safety systems.

Aviation analysts say the NAF’s clarification is important to counter misinformation and maintain public confidence, especially as the Air Force continues to modernise its fleet and expand international maintenance partnerships.

The NAF urged the public to disregard misleading reports and await further updates as technical evaluations progress.