The Federal Government has confirmed that diplomatic efforts are ongoing to secure the release of 11 Nigerian Air Force (NAF) personnel and a C-130 Hercules military transport aircraft seized by authorities in Burkina Faso. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that contrary to earlier conflicting reports, the soldiers and the aircraft have not yet been released by the Burkinabe military government.
The incident has escalated tensions between Nigeria and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which comprises Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
The seizure stems from an incident that occurred on December 8, 2025. The NAF C-130 aircraft was on a routine ferry mission to Portugal after departing from Lagos, Nigeria.
The NAF stated that the crew detected a technical issue shortly after take-off and was forced to divert to the nearest airfield, Bobo-Dioulasso in Burkina Faso, in accordance with international aviation protocols and standard safety procedures.
Upon landing, the Burkinabe military government seized the aircraft and detained the 11 personnel (two crew and nine passengers).
The Burkinabe government and the Confederation of Sahel States (AES), which split from ECOWAS, have strongly condemned the landing.
Burkina Faso’s Minister of Territorial Administration confirmed that their investigation noted the absence of authorization for the aircraft to enter Burkinabe airspace.
The AES labeled the incident a “violation of its airspace and the sovereignty of its member States,” describing it as an “unfriendly act.”
The detention comes days after Nigerian troops and aircraft were involved in helping to thwart a coup attempt in neighbouring Benin Republic, an action criticized by the AES nations, which view Nigeria’s recent regional assertiveness with suspicion.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, reiterated that the Nigerian Embassy in Ouagadougou is actively engaging the Burkinabe authorities to resolve the situation through diplomatic channels.
Meanwhile, the incident has sparked debate in Nigeria. Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar clarified that the focus remains on diplomatic resolution, stressing that the C-130’s landing had no connection to Nigeria’s operations in Benin.
However, some Nigerian political figures, including former Senator Ayodele Arise, have publicly called for the Federal Government to consider a military option to secure the release of the soldiers and aircraft, referencing historical precedents like the 1976 Israeli Entebbe Raid.
The Nigerian Air Force has confirmed that the detained personnel are safe and are receiving “cordial treatment” from their hosts. The detention continues six days after the aircraft’s precautionary landing.
