Six days after, Nigerian soldiers remain in Burkina Faso detention

Six days after a Nigerian Air Force C-130 aircraft made a precautionary landing in Burkina Faso, the 11 military personnel on board have remained in detention as diplomatic efforts intensify to resolve the standoff.

The soldiers and the aircraft were seized by the Burkina Faso military government over alleged violations of the Sahel country’s airspace.

On Tuesday, the Government of Burkina Faso said a Nigerian Air Force aircraft carrying 11 soldiers was forced to land in the country on Monday after reportedly violating its airspace.

The development was reported by the Agence d’Information du Burkina, the state-run news agency, which published a statement from the Confederation of Sahel States.

The statement added that an investigation by Burkinabe authorities highlighted the absence of authorisation to fly over the territory of Burkina Faso for this military device.

The AES condemned the incident as a violation of sovereignty, stating that it “condemns with the utmost firmness this violation of its airspace and the sovereignty of its member States.”

Reacting to the incident, the Nigerian Air Force said personnel on board the C-130 aircraft that landed in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, were safe and receiving cordial treatment from Burkinabe authorities.

The aircraft, which was on a ferry mission to Portugal, made a precautionary landing after the crew detected a technical concern shortly after takeoff from Lagos on 8 December 2025.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the crew diverted to the nearest airfield in line with standard safety procedures and international aviation protocols.

The Federal Government has since begun diplomatic efforts to secure the release of the Nigerian soldiers and aircraft.

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