Tension continues to mount as 11 Nigerian military personnel remain in detention in Burkina Faso six days after a Nigerian Air Force C-130 aircraft made a precautionary landing in the country.
The aircraft and its crew were seized by Burkina Faso’s military authorities over allegations of violating the country’s airspace, triggering an escalating diplomatic row.
Burkina Faso’s government confirmed on Tuesday that the Nigerian Air Force aircraft, carrying 11 soldiers, was forced to land after allegedly breaching its airspace. The disclosure was made by the Agence d’Information du Burkina, quoting a statement from the Confederation of Sahel States (AES).
According to the statement, Burkinabe investigations “highlighted the absence of authorisation to fly over the territory of Burkina Faso for this military device.”
The AES condemned the incident, declaring that it “condemns with the utmost firmness this violation of its airspace and the sovereignty of its member States.”
Reacting, the Nigerian Air Force assured Nigerians that the detained personnel were safe and being treated cordially.
The C-130 aircraft was reportedly on a ferry mission to Portugal when it made an emergency diversion after the crew detected a technical issue shortly after taking off from Lagos on December 8, 2025.
In a statement, the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the crew diverted to the nearest airfield in line with standard safety procedures and international aviation protocols.
The Federal Government has since stepped up diplomatic engagements to secure the release of both the soldiers and the aircraft.
“The Embassy of Nigeria in Ouagadougou is engaging with the host authorities to secure their release,” said Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
As talks drag on, pressure is mounting at home. Former Ekiti State lawmaker and APC chieftain Ayodele Arise has urged President Bola Tinubu to consider a military option if diplomacy stalls.
Speaking on Arise TV, Arise argued that Nigeria must not appear weak, even while battling insecurity domestically.
Drawing inspiration from Israel’s 1976 Entebbe Raid, he said decisive action could force Burkina Faso’s leadership to rethink its position.
“I think we should move and do something. As a matter of fact, once they are aware that we want to do that, I am sure that the man who is President there will have a rethink because they are our neighbours.
“Yes, we should be friendly with our neighbours but at the same time we should let them know that they can’t be messing with our country.”
Arise, who represented Ekiti North in the Senate, also defended Nigeria’s recent military action in the Republic of Benin, rejecting claims that President Tinubu acted hastily or breached constitutional provisions.
