Burkina Faso has accused the Nigerian Air Force of breaching its airspace after eleven military officers were detained following an unauthorized landing of an aircraft. The military authorities in Burkina Faso reported that the Air Force C-130 entered their airspace on Monday without authorization, leading to a diplomatic dispute.
According to Territorial Administration Minister Emile Zerbo, the aircraft's entrance into Burkina Faso's airspace has been deemed a violation of national sovereignty. In a joint statement, neighboring military governments of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger expressed their discontent and confirmed the breach.
The Nigerian Air Force contended that the plane encountered technical problems en route to Portugal, necessitating an emergency landing for safety. They reported that the crew was safe and treated well by local authorities but did not clarify whether the officers were detained.
The plane's landing occurred in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso’s second-largest city, where it was closest to a suitable airfield. The Nigerian Air Force's claims conflict with statements from the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which states that the aircraft had no prior permission to cross their airspace, labeling the landing an 'unfriendly act'.
In response, the AES has heightened alert levels within their air forces, authorizing measures against any aircraft violating their airspace. Official reports indicate that the flight carried two crew members and nine military officers.
Nigeria plans to continue with the mission to Portugal as scheduled, reaffirming the commitment to operational safety and aviation standards. Analysts suggest this incident may be related to the recent deployment of West African troops from Ecowas to Benin after an attempted coup, marking a critical period of military and political tensions in the region.
Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger had withdrawn from Ecowas earlier in the year due to political issues and have distanced themselves from Western influences, moving closer to Russia.
