Nigeria–Burkina Faso Tension Eases as Detained NAF Personnel Regain Freedom

A brief diplomatic scare between Nigeria and Burkina Faso was defused on Tuesday evening after Burkinabè authorities released 11 Nigerian Air Force officers earlier detained following an unauthorised landing by their C-130 transport aircraft.

Burkinabè security officials told the BBC that the officers were questioned and subsequently cleared to depart after authorities concluded preliminary checks. They were initially held over suspicions of involvement in efforts to thwart a coup plot in neighbouring Benin, an allegation that was later dismissed.

The Nigerian Air Force aircraft had made what Abuja described as a “technical emergency landing” in Bobo-Dioulasso on Monday while en route to Portugal. However, authorities in Burkina Faso insisted the plane entered their airspace without prior clearance, prompting swift security measures.

Burkina Faso’s Minister of Territorial Administration, Emile Zerbo, told journalists that national procedures were violated when the aircraft flew in “without authorisation,” necessitating intervention by security agencies.

The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) — comprising the military governments of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger — later issued a joint statement confirming a “violation of its airspace and sovereignty,” calling the incident an “unfriendly act.” It added that air forces across the bloc had been placed on maximum alert with directives to “neutralise any aircraft” breaching their airspace.

The AES reported that the C-130 carried two crew members and nine military passengers. Burkinabè officials later confirmed the personnel were released after questioning and allowed to leave.

In its own statement, the Nigerian Air Force said a technical malfunction necessitated diversion to the nearest airfield “in accordance with international aviation safety procedures.” It noted that its personnel were safe and had received cordial treatment, though it did not directly address claims of detention.