Nigerian Air Force Pilots Released in Burkina Faso Resume Journey to Portugal

Nigerian Air Force pilots, who were detained in Burkina Faso, resumed their mission to Portugal after making an emergency landing in Bobo Dioulasso on December 8, 2025. The crew of 11 members, including a diplomat, were released following diplomatic interventions by a Nigerian delegation led by Bola Tinubu and Yusuf Tuggar.

The crew's release was facilitated after a meeting with Burkina Faso's junta leader, Ibrahim Traoré. The pilots' journey to Portugal was part of a scheduled aircraft maintenance mission.