Burkina Faso accuses Nigerian Air Force of violating its airspace
Burkina Faso has accused the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) of violating its airspace after a C-130 military aircraft made an unscheduled landing in the country on Monday, leading to a brief detention of 11 Nigerian military personnel.
According to Burkina Faso’s Territorial Administration Minister, Emile Zerbo, the aircraft entered the country’s airspace without prior authorisation. In a joint statement, the military governments of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger said their prompt investigation confirmed the “violation of its airspace and the sovereignty of its member states”.
The AES described the landing as an “unfriendly act,”adding that air forces within the bloc had been placed on maximum alert and authorised to neutralise any aircraft ound violating the confederation’s airspace in future.
In contrast, the NAF said the aircraft was en route to Portugal when a technical fault forced the crew to divert to the nearest available airfield, which was the airport at Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso’s second-largest city.
The Nigerian statement said the landing followed standard aviation safety procedures. It confirmed the crew was safe and had received cordial treatment from Burkinabè authorities, though it did not address claims of detention.
Burkinabè security officials noted that the two crew members and nine passenger officers were initially detained but later released and given permission to return to Nigeria.
The Nigerian Air Force added that plans were underway to resume the mission to Portugal, emphasising its commitment to strict operational and safety standards.
Political analysts have linked the incident to the deployment of troops from West Africa’s regional bloc, Ecowas, to Benin following an attempted coup on Sunday.
Nigeria led the regional mission with the deployment of jets and troops to suppress the mutiny in Benin.
Earlier this year, all the three military-led countries – Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger – withdrew from Ecowas, citing a mix of political and security grievances.
They had rejected Ecowas’ demands for them to restore democratic rule.
The three Sahel countries have also distanced themselves from Western countries, notably from former colonial ruler France, while drawing closer to Russia.
