The Federal Government has begun high-level diplomatic engagements to secure the release of a Nigerian military aircraft and its personnel currently being held by authorities in Burkina Faso.
The C-130 transport aircraft and the soldiers on board entered their fourth day in custody on Thursday, after being forced to land by the Burkinabe military government over what it described as an “unauthorised violation” of its airspace.
Senior military sources confirmed that both the aircraft and the crew remain detained, noting that the matter has now been transferred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for resolution.
“They are still being held. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has taken over the process, and we are hopeful that the intervention will lead to their release soon,” one source told reporters.
Commenting on the development, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said the Nigerian Embassy in Ouagadougou had already commenced discussions with the Burkinabe authorities.
“The Embassy of Nigeria in Ouagadougou is engaging with the host authorities to secure their release,” he stated.
DAILY POST reports that the Burkina Faso government intercepted the Nigerian Air Force aircraft carrying 11 soldiers on Monday, alleging it entered its airspace without authorisation.
The incident was first reported by the Agence d’Information du Burkina, the state-owned news agency, which cited a statement from the Confederation of Sahel States, AES.
According to the statement, Burkinabe investigators found “a lack of authorisation to fly over the territory” by the Nigerian aircraft, describing the situation as a serious breach of sovereignty.
In response, the Nigerian Air Force explained that the aircraft had made a precautionary landing in Bobo-Dioulasso after the crew detected a technical issue shortly after departing Lagos on 8 December 2025.
The Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the diversion aligned with international safety protocols and that the aircrew was being treated with courtesy by local officials.
He added that the mission, originally bound for Portugal, would resume once the aircraft received clearance and its technical concerns were resolved.
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