Nigeria Engages Burkina Faso Diplomatically Over Detention of Air Force C-130 and 11 Soldiers

The Federal Government of Nigeria has confirmed that diplomatic discussions are actively underway regarding the detained Nigerian Air Force (NAF) C-130 aircraft and the eleven soldiers onboard, all of whom remain in the custody of the Burkinabe government.

The seizure occurred last Monday after the military transport plane made a precautionary landing in Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso. The NAF stated that the aircraft, which was en route to Portugal for maintenance, landed due to technical faults.

However, the government of Burkina Faso and its partners in the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) have contested the NAF’s account, accusing the crew of entering their airspace without clearance, which they cited as the reason the Hercules aircraft was forced to land.

Speaking on Sunday, December 14, Mr. Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed the ongoing engagement with Burkinabe authorities to resolve the matter diplomatically, stating, “We are engaging them, but they are yet to be released.”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has taken over the lead in the negotiations to secure the safe release of both the personnel and the aircraft, prompting the Nigerian Air Force to refrain from further public comment.

Retired NAF pilots, when contacted for comment on the implication of detaining a military aircraft following an emergency landing, advised against speculation, warning that premature judgment could jeopardize the ongoing government-to-government discussions.

Sources suggest that Burkina Faso, along with fellow Sahel states Mali and Niger—which were suspended from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) following military coups—may be attempting to use the situation as a bargaining chip amid the existing ECOWAS blockade on trade and movement of goods and services against them.