The Nigerian military has clarified the air on reports that a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft has been grounded in Burkina Faso.
Debunking the arrest claim, NAF said its C-130 transport aircraft made a precautionary landing in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, on Monday after the crew detected a technical concern shortly after takeoff from Lagos.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.
Ejodame said that the aircraft was on a ferry mission to Portugal for scheduled maintenance when the crew opted to divert in line with standard safety procedures and international aviation protocols.
He said the aircrew landed safely and had since received cordial support from Burkinabe authorities, adding that plans were ongoing to resume the mission once technical checks were completed.
Ejodame reassured the public that the NAF remained committed to strict compliance with operational and safety standards while ensuring the protection of its personnel in the discharge of its constitutional duties.
