Burkina Fasso is still holding a Nigerian Air Force C-130 aircraft and its 11 Nigerian military officers six days after they landed in the country after a technical fault.
What began as a routine ferry mission has since escalated into a delicate diplomatic standoff between Nigeria and its Sahelian neighbour, with the Burkinabe military government detaining both the aircraft and its crew over alleged violations of national airspace.
Burkinabe authorities said it forced the Nigerian military aircraft to land in Bobo-Dioulasso after it reportedly entered Burkina Faso’s airspace without prior authorisation.
The country announced this on state-run news agency Agence d’Information du Burkina, which quitef a statement from the Confederation of Sahel States (AES).
According to the AES, Burkinabe authorities investigated and discovered that the aircraft didn’t obtain clearance to fly over Burkina Faso, saying that was a breach of sovereignty.
The AES therefore labeled it as an unauthorised military incursion, saying it was as a serious violation of the territorial integrity of its member states.
“The Confederation condemns with the utmost firmness this violation of its airspace and the sovereignty of its member States,” the statement said.
But the Nigerian government has denied the allegations, saying the planes ’s landing was driven purely by safety considerations. The Nigerian Air Force said the C-130 aircraft was on a non-combat ferry mission en route Portugal when the crew detected a technical hitch shortly after departing Lagos on December 8, 2025.
The NAF said the crew diverted to the nearest suitable airfield, which is in Bobo-Dioulasso, adding that the action was In consonance with international aviation protocols and standard safety procedures,, adding that there was no hostile intent or operational mission involved.
The spokesperson of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, however said the personnel on board were safe and receiving “cordial treatment” from Burkina Fasso.
21st CENTURY CHRONICLE reports that the continued detention of the soldiers has elicited concern in Nigeria, despite the NAF assurances that the days stretch on without a resolution.
It was learnt that the Federal Government has since opened diplomatic communications to address the situation, ordering Nigeria’s embassy in Ouagadougou to engage the country’s authorities.
On this, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, on Wednesday said discussions were in progress, adding that Nigeria was working quietly through diplomatic means to secure the release of both the personnel and the aircraft.
