Burkina Faso Frees 11 Nigerian Officers After Disputed Air Force Landing

Burkina Faso has released 11 Nigerian military officers who were held after their transport aircraft landed without clearance in Bobo-Dioulasso, an episode that briefly intensified tensions between Abuja and the military governments of the Sahel. The officers, comprising two crew members and nine passengers aboard a Nigerian Air Force C-130, were detained on Monday after Burkinabè authorities said the aircraft violated national procedures by entering the country’s airspace unannounced.

Officials in Ouagadougou said the unexpected landing triggered an immediate security response. Territorial Administration Minister Emile Zerbo noted that defence and intelligence units were mobilised as soon as the aircraft was detected. The Alliance of Sahel States, formed by Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, issued a joint statement later that day condemning the incident as a breach of sovereignty and warning that its air forces had been placed on maximum alert.

Despite the strong reaction, Burkinabè security officials told the BBC the Nigerian personnel were questioned, cleared and eventually allowed to return home once preliminary checks were completed. Business Insider reported that suspicions had initially centred on alleged links to efforts surrounding the recent coup crisis in Benin.

Nigeria offered a calmer explanation, describing the stop as a technical emergency landing during a flight to Portugal. The Air Force said the diversion followed international aviation safety procedures and that its personnel were treated courteously, although it did not directly address the reports of detention.

The episode comes amid a period of worsening relations between Nigeria and the AES governments. Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, all under military rule, have repeatedly accused Nigeria of overstepping in regional security matters, particularly in Benin. Earlier this year, the three states withdrew from ECOWAS, arguing that the bloc, led by Nigeria, meddled in their political affairs while failing to curb jihadist violence. Since then, the juntas have strengthened cooperation within the AES, expelled several Western partners and moved closer to Russia for military support.