Amanze Chinonye
The Federal Government has intensified diplomatic efforts to secure the release of a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) C-130 aircraft and 11 military personnel detained in Burkina Faso, three days after the transport plane made a forced landing in the West African country.
The aircraft, which the Nigerian Air Force says was on a ferry mission to Portugal, developed a technical fault on Monday and diverted to Bobo-Dioulasso, the nearest airfield, in line with international aviation safety protocols. But the landing has triggered a diplomatic standoff, with the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) a bloc comprising Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger accusing Nigeria of violating Burkinabe airspace.
In a statement issued on Monday, the AES described the aircraft’s entry into Burkinabe airspace as “an unfriendly act carried out in defiance of international law.”
Join our WhatsApp ChannelREAD ALSO : NAF C-130 Lands Safely in Burkina Faso Amid Regional Airspace Dispute
NAF Airstrikes Destroy Major Terrorist Stronghold in Zamfara
Mali’s junta leader, Assimi Goïta, said the bloc had authorised member states to “neutralise any aircraft” violating their airspace, accusing Nigeria of breaching the sovereignty of a member state. The incident unfolded as Nigerian troops were conducting air strikes in Benin Republic to help foil an attempted coup an operation that added geopolitical sensitivity to the dispute, although Nigerian officials insist both events were unrelated.
The Nigerian Air Force pushed back against the allegations. NAF spokesperson Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame said the aircraft diverted after the crew observed a technical concern, adding that the landing complied fully with ICAO regulations and standard global aviation safety procedures. “When you’re flying and you have a problem, you land in the nearest airport,” Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, reiterated on Thursday. “This is international law. It can happen to any country.”
Despite earlier unconfirmed reports that the 11 Nigerian officers had been released, Tuggar confirmed on Thursday that both the aircraft and the soldiers remain in Burkina Faso. “Yes, they are still there,” he said during a press briefing, adding that Abuja is in active communication with Burkinabe leader Ibrahim Traoré to resolve the matter swiftly.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also confirmed on Thursday that the issue had been escalated to top diplomatic levels. Ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa said the Nigerian Embassy in Ouagadougou is engaging Burkinabe authorities.
“The Embassy of Nigeria in Ouagadougou is engaging with the host authorities to secure their release,” he said. Military sources likewise confirmed that the personnel were being held “cordially” pending the conclusion of investigations in Burkina Faso.
Burkinabe state media had earlier reported that an investigation by local authorities found the aircraft lacked the required authorisation to enter the country’s airspace. The AES condemned the flight as a violation of sovereignty and emphasised the need for states to respect its airspace regulations.
Tuggar expressed confidence that diplomatic efforts would resolve the issue without escalation, noting that similar safety-related landings could occur anywhere. “It can be a Burkinabe plane tomorrow forced to land in Kano or Maiduguri,” he said. “This is why international aviation protocols exist.”
Nigeria is expected to maintain high-level engagement with Ouagadougou until the military personnel and the C-130 aircraft are released.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
