Eleven Nigerian military personnel have entered their seventh day in detention in Burkina Faso, following the impoundment of a Nigerian Air Force C-130 aircraft that made a precautionary landing in the Sahel country, raising tensions and sparking debate in Nigeria over possible military action.
The aircraft, which was en route to Portugal for scheduled maintenance, landed in Bobo-Dioulasso on December 8 after the crew detected a technical fault shortly after taking off from Lagos. Burkinabe authorities subsequently detained the aircraft and its occupants, citing an alleged violation of national airspace.
Recall that Burkina Faso’s state news agency, Agence d’Information du Burkina, quoted a statement from the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) which claimed investigations revealed that the Nigerian military aircraft lacked authorisation to fly over Burkinabe territory.
The bloc described the incident as a breach of sovereignty and said it condemned the action “with the utmost firmness.”
In response, the Nigerian Air Force has maintained that the diversion was carried out strictly in line with international aviation safety procedures, stressing that the crew opted for the nearest suitable airfield after detecting a technical concern.
The Air Force also confirmed that the personnel are safe and receiving what it described as cordial treatment. Diplomatic engagements are ongoing. The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Nigeria’s embassy in Ouagadougou is actively engaging Burkinabe authorities to secure the release of the aircraft and its crew.
“The Embassy of Nigeria in Ouagadougou is engaging with the host authorities to secure their release,” the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said.
However, as the standoff drags on, pressure is mounting at home for a tougher response. A former senator and All Progressives Congress chieftain, Ayodele Arise, has urged President Bola Tinubu to consider a military option if diplomatic efforts fail.
Speaking on Arise TV programme, as a guest on Saturday, Arise argued that Nigeria should not rule out decisive action to protect its military personnel, even while acknowledging the country’s heavy security commitments at home.
Drawing parallels with Israel’s 1976 Entebbe raid, Arise suggested that the mere possibility of military intervention could force a rethink by Burkina Faso’s leadership.
“We should let them know that they can’t be messing with our country,” he said, adding that while good neighbourly relations are important, Nigeria must also assert its sovereignty, and protect its armed forces. The incident comes at a sensitive time in regional security relations, with Burkina Faso now governed by a military junta and no longer part of ECOWAS.
Analysts warn that the outcome of the standoff could shape future military and diplomatic engagements between Nigeria and the Sahel states. For now, Abuja continues to pursue a diplomatic resolution.
