The Government of Burkina Faso has released 11 Nigerian Air Force officers detained after their aircraft made an emergency landing in the West African country, following days of diplomatic tension and accusations of airspace violation.
Territorial Administration Minister, Emile Zerbo, confirmed the development late Tuesday night, stating that the officers were allowed to return to Nigeria after being questioned by Burkinabè security officials.
In a joint statement, the military-led governments of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, under the umbrella of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), said their investigations confirmed a breach of their collective airspace.
“The plane entered Burkina Faso without authorisation, constituting a violation of national procedures,” Zerbo said, echoing the AES position.
Describing the move as an “unfriendly act,” the alliance declared its air forces were on “maximum alert” and ordered to “neutralise any aircraft” that entered its airspace without permission.
In response, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) clarified that the C-130 Hercules aircraft made a precautionary landing due to technical concerns while en route to Portugal.
“The aircraft was on a ferry mission when it experienced a technical issue mid-flight and had to make a safety landing,” NAF spokesperson, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said in a statement issued Tuesday.
He confirmed that all crew members were safe and that the aircraft followed standard international aviation protocols.
According to BBC reports, Burkinabè officials said the detained Nigerian personnel were released after initial questioning and permitted to leave the country.
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