Benin Coup: Group Laments Detention Of Nigerian Jet, Personnel In Burkina Faso

A civil society group, Rescue Movement for New Nigeria, has criticised the federal government over the detention of a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jet and personnel in Burkina Faso, describing the development as “embarrassing.”

In a statement signed by its national director of Media and Publicity, Rev. Emmanuel Olorunmagba, the group stated that the continued impoundment of the jet and the reported detention of NAF personnel over an alleged airspace violation reflect ed poorly on Nigeria’s diplomatic and defence coordination.

The group said despite initial threats and an ultimatum reportedly issued by the Nigerian government following the incident, the matter had yet to be resolved. It further faulted the Air Force for issuing what it called a contradictory explanation about the jet’s mission.

According to the statement, the NAF had claimed the aircraft was en route to Portugal, a claim the group said was later denied by the Portuguese government. “We are now wondering why such monumental embarrassment should occur,” the statement said.

Rescue Movement for New Nigeria also referenced reports suggesting the jet might have been deployed to the Republic of Benin to counter alleged coup plotters and protect the country’s president.

However, the group questioned why an aircraft on such a mission would allegedly proceed from Benin to Burkina Faso instead of returning directly to Nigeria, which it said is geographically closer.

Beyond the aircraft incident, the group raised broader concerns about national security priorities, contrasting what it described as a “swift” intervention by Nigeria in Benin with what it sees as delayed or inadequate responses to terrorist attacks and mass kidnappings within Nigeria.

The statement cited attacks in Abuja, including incidents near sensitive security institutions such as the Nigerian Defence Academy, as well as the abduction of hundreds of students in past attacks, arguing that these incidents did not receive comparable rapid military responses.