Federal Government Intervenes As Burkina Faso Holds On To NAF Aircraft, Personnel

The Nigerian Government has waded into the diplomatic row surrounding the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) C-130 aircraft and 11 military personnel currently being detained in Burkina Faso.

This comes after the Confederation of Sahel States (AES), comprising Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, claimed the aircraft violated Burkinabe airspace, an allegation that NAF has strongly denied.

The aircraft, according to NAF, executed a precautionary landing in Bobo-Dioulasso on Monday after the crew observed a technical fault.

Diplomatic sources claimed that although the precautionary landing complied with international aviation standards, authorities in Burkina Faso and its AES allies are using the incident as an opportunity to push back against Nigeria over ECOWAS’ earlier sanctions against their military junta.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has since stepped in to secure the release of the aircraft and the personnel being detained.

Spokesperson of the ministry, Kimiebi Ebienfa, also dismissed reports suggesting that the aircraft and soldiers had been released.

“They have not been released as we speak, but we are trying to secure that. We are engaging the Burkina Faso authorities using usual diplomatic channels,” he said.

Ebienfa added that, although the ministry has not been informed of the reasons for the continued detention, all diplomatic options are being explored.

NAF had earlier stated that the aircraft was scheduled to continue its journey to Portugal on Tuesday, but Burkinabe authorities did not grant clearance for its departure.

In its latest statement, the NAF clarified that the crew received “cordial treatment” in Burkina Faso and assured Nigerians of its commitment to safety and adherence to operational procedures.

Burkina Faso’s national news agency, Agence d’Information du Burkina, reported that the aircraft carried 11 military personnel, comprising two crew members and nine passengers, at the time of the emergency landing.

AES officials, however, insisted that the aircraft entered their airspace without authorisation, describing it as “a breach of national sovereignty.” They warned that further violations would be met with force, as their air defence systems remain on high alert.

Diplomatic engagements were ongoing as Nigeria worked to secure the release of its personnel and aircraft.