Six days after a Nigerian Air Force C-130 aircraft made a precautionary landing in Burkina Faso, the 11 military personnel on board remain in custody, as diplomatic engagements continue between both nations.
The aircraft and its crew were detained by Burkinabe authorities for allegedly violating the country’s airspace without prior authorisation.
The government of Burkina Faso, through its state-run news agency, Agence d’Information du Burkina, stated that the Nigerian aircraft was forced to land on Monday, December 8, after reportedly breaching Burkinabe airspace.
A statement from the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) condemned the incident as a “serious violation of sovereignty,” adding that, “An investigation by Burkinabe authorities highlighted the absence of authorisation to fly over the territory of Burkina Faso for this military device.”
AES further stated: “It condemns with the utmost firmness this violation of its airspace and the sovereignty of its member states.”
In response, the Nigerian Air Force said the aircraft was en route to Portugal on a ferry mission and made a precautionary landing in Bobo-Dioulasso after detecting a technical fault shortly after takeoff from Lagos.
According to a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the diversion was in line with international aviation safety protocols.
“The personnel on board are safe and receiving cordial treatment from Burkinabe authorities,” the statement read.
The Federal Government has since activated diplomatic channels to resolve the standoff.
“The Embassy of Nigeria in Ouagadougou is engaging with the host authorities to secure their release,” said Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during an interview with PUNCH on Wednesday.
Former Senator Urges Military Response
Meanwhile, former Ekiti North Senator and APC chieftain, Ayodele Arise, has called on President Bola Tinubu to consider military action if diplomatic efforts fail.
Speaking on Arise TV on Saturday, Arise cited Israel’s 1976 Entebbe Raid as a precedent for bold intervention.
He said, “I think we should move and do something. Once they are aware that we want to do that, I am sure that the man who is President there will have a rethink because they are our neighbours.
“Yes, we should be friendly with our neighbours, but at the same time we should let them know that they can’t be messing with our country.”
Arise also defended President Tinubu’s swift military response to the coup attempt in the Benin Republic, dismissing claims that the President acted unconstitutionally by deploying forces before notifying the National Assembly.
He maintained that matters of national and regional security sometimes require immediate action.