The Nigerian government is intensifying high-level diplomatic efforts to secure the release of 11 Nigerian military personnel and a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) C-130 aircraft currently held in Burkina Faso, amid accusations of unauthorized airspace entry by the Confederation of Sahel States (AES).
The incident occurred on December 8, 2025, when the NAF aircraft, en route on a ferry mission to Portugal, experienced a technical issue shortly after takeoff from Lagos. Following standard safety procedures and international aviation protocols, the crew made a precautionary landing at Bobo-Dioulasso airfield, the nearest suitable location in Burkina Faso.
However, the AES comprising military-led governments of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, which withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) last year following regional opposition to their coups condemned the landing as a breach of national sovereignty. A statement signed by Mali’s junta leader, Assimi Goïta, and reported by Burkina Faso’s state-run Agence d’Information du Burkina, alleged that the plane entered Burkina Faso’s airspace without clearance. An AES investigation reportedly confirmed the absence of flight authorization, prompting the regional body to place its air and anti-aircraft systems on high alert and warn of a forceful response to any future violations.
The aircraft and its occupants two crew members and nine passengers have now been detained for a third day, with sources indicating Burkina Faso’s refusal to allow the flight to resume as initially planned. The NAF issued a statement via Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information, assuring the public that the crew is safe, receiving cordial treatment from host authorities, and that plans were underway to resume the mission.
“The Nigerian Air Force appreciates the support received during this period and assures the public that NAF remains professionally committed to strict compliance with operational procedures and safety standards,” the statement read.
Diplomatic sources suggest the detention may be politically motivated. Nigeria’s prominent role in ECOWAS actions against the AES nations actions that contributed to their exit from the bloc has reportedly turned the incident into an opportunity for retaliation.
“Though the NAF aircraft followed due process and international aviation statutes in making the precautionary landing, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger are seeing the situation as an opportunity to get back at Nigeria,” one source told Vanguard.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has taken the lead in resolving the standoff. Spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa confirmed to multiple outlets that earlier reports of the crew’s release were false.
“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,” Ebienfa said. He added that the Nigerian Embassy in Ouagadougou has initiated direct talks with Burkinabe officials, though the ministry is unaware of specific reasons for the delay.
A military source echoed the urgency: “They have not been released yet. The matter is now being handled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We hope they will be released soon with their intervention.” Another insider revealed that the aircraft was prepared to depart on Tuesday but received unclear signals from Burkina Faso officials, prompting escalation to diplomatic levels.
“As negotiations continue, the episode underscores lingering frictions between Nigeria and the AES alliance, highlighting vulnerabilities in regional aviation and cross-border military movements. The NAF reiterated its commitment to safety, emphasizing that the diversion was a routine measure to protect personnel while fulfilling its constitutional mandate,” the source added.
The Federal Government has assured that every diplomatic avenue is being explored to bring the detained personnel and aircraft home swiftly, with updates expected as talks progress.