Burkina Faso releases 11 Nigerian Soldiers after ‘unauthorized’ landing

Eleven Nigerian military officers detained in Burkina Faso after their Air Force transport aircraft made what Abuja described as a “technical emergency landing” have been released, officials confirmed on Tuesday.

The officers were held for questioning on suspicion that their mission was linked to Nigeria’s recent involvement in efforts to counter the failed coup in neighbouring Benin Republic.

They were eventually cleared to return home after Burkinabè authorities concluded preliminary checks.

The personnel were aboard a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) C-130 transport aircraft that diverted to the western Burkinabè city of Bobo-Dioulasso on Monday.

While Nigerian authorities insisted the diversion was necessitated by a technical fault, Ouagadougou said the aircraft entered its airspace without authorisation, prompting a rapid security response.

AES Accuses Nigeria of Airspace Violation

Burkina Faso’s Minister of Territorial Administration, Emile Zerbo, said the aircraft violated the country’s aviation procedures, forcing security units to intervene immediately.

In a joint statement, the military governments of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, operating under the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), said the aircraft’s entry constituted a breach of their collective airspace and national sovereignty.

The AES described the incident as an “unfriendly act” and disclosed that its air forces had been placed on high alert, with orders to “neutralise any aircraft” that violates its airspace.

Security officials said the aircraft carried two crew members and nine passengers, all of whom were released after interrogation.

Nigeria Maintains It Was a Technical Issue

In a contrasting explanation, the Nigerian Air Force insisted the crew acted strictly in line with international aviation safety protocols after detecting a mechanical fault.

NAF confirmed that its personnel were safe and received “cordial treatment” from local authorities, a statement that stopped short of acknowledging their detention.

Mounting Sahel Tensions

Relations between Nigeria and the Sahel juntas have grown tense since the coups in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.

The AES bloc has repeatedly accused Nigeria of interfering in regional matters, particularly through ECOWAS-led security operations.

The three countries had earlier withdrawn from ECOWAS, claiming political meddling and insufficient support in combating extremist threats. Since then, they have strengthened security and political ties under the AES umbrella, pivoting towards Russia and distancing themselves from France and other Western partners.

Niger Tightens Border Checks on Nigerian Goods

In a related move signalling growing mistrust, Niger’s military government introduced stricter checks on goods entering the country from Nigeria.

Colonel Mohamed Yacouba Siddo, announcing the new directive, said all Nigerian-origin goods must be unloaded, inspected, and cleared at designated border points before being allowed to transit.

The junta cited “heightened security requirements” and increasing suspicion over Nigerian military activities in the region.

NAF Says Mission Will Continue

Despite the diplomatic friction, the Nigerian Air Force said the C-130 aircraft would resume its original mission to Portugal once technical issues were fully resolved.

The force stressed that it remained committed to adhering to international aviation procedures, even as cross-border tensions in the Sahel continue to deepen.

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