Eleven Nigerian military officers were briefly detained in Burkina Faso after their aircraft made an emergency landing in the country, Burkinabè security sources told the BBC.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) C-130 transport plane was en route to Portugal when it developed a technical problem and landed at the nearest available airfield in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso’s second-largest city. The NAF said the landing was carried out “in accordance with safety procedures,” adding that the crew was “safe and have received cordial treatment from the host authorities.” The statement did not confirm whether the officers had been detained.
Burkina Faso’s Territorial Administration Minister, Emile Zerbo, said the aircraft had entered Burkinabè airspace on Monday without authorisation. In a joint statement, the military governments of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger collectively known as the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) confirmed what they described as a “violation of its airspace and the sovereignty of its member states.”
“An investigation was immediately opened by the competent Burkinabè services and highlighted the lack of authorisation to fly over Burkinabè territory for this military apparatus,” the AES declared. The bloc called the landing an “unfriendly act” and announced that its air forces had been placed on maximum alert, authorised to “neutralise any aircraft” found violating the confederation’s airspace.
According to the AES, the aircraft carried two crew members and nine passengers, all military officers. Burkinabè authorities later told the BBC that the soldiers were released and permitted to return to Nigeria.
Observers note the incident highlights growing friction between Nigeria and the AES countries, which earlier this year withdrew from the West African bloc Ecowas, rejecting demands to restore democratic rule. The three Sahel states have distanced themselves from Western partners France, while strengthening ties with Russia.
Political analysts have linked the airspace dispute to Nigeria’s leadership role in Ecowas’ recent deployment of jets and troops to Benin, following an attempted coup on Sunday.
The Nigerian Air Force said plans were underway to resume the mission to Portugal as scheduled, stressing its commitment to “operational aviation procedures and safety standards.”
Source: BBC
