Eleven Nigerian military personnel are returning to their country after being held in Burkina Faso following an unscheduled landing of a cargo aircraft. The incident involved a Nigerian Air Force C-130, which diverted to Bobo-Dioulasso airport due to a reported technical issue while en route to Portugal.
Authorities in Burkina Faso, a member of the Association of Sahel States (AES), characterized the aircraft’s entry into its airspace without prior clearance as an “unfriendly act.” After discussions, the personnel—comprising two crew members and nine passengers—were permitted to depart. The status of the aircraft itself remains unclear.
Nigerian officials stated the landing was a necessary safety procedure conducted in line with international aviation protocols. An investigation into the full circumstances is ongoing, according to a Nigerian Air Force spokesperson, who added that the personnel were treated well during their stay.
The incident occurs amid heightened regional tensions. It followed closely on reports of Nigerian airstrikes in neighboring Benin, actions which Nigerian authorities stated were taken at the request of Beninese officials and within the framework of regional security protocols.
The regional landscape remains complex. The AES nations—Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—formally withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) earlier this year, citing disagreements over the bloc’s approach to regional governance. ECOWAS leadership has recently emphasized the urgent need to address security challenges and bolster democratic stability among member states.