Amid heightened regional tensions, the Nigerian Air Force has explained that its C-130 aircraft made an unscheduled landing in Burkina Faso due to a technical issue and not as a violation of the airspace of the Sahel alliance states.
According to Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, spokesperson for the Nigerian Air Force, the crew detected a mechanical concern shortly after takeoff from Lagos, prompting what he described as a “standard aviation safety response.”
He explained that Bobo-Dioulasso was identified as the nearest and safest option for landing, in line with global aviation protocols.
Ejodame stressed that the decision “was not only procedural but necessary to ensure the safety of both personnel and aircraft,” adding that such precautionary landings are common in military ferry operations.
Rumours had circulated across West Africa claiming the Burkinabe authorities held 11 crew members, sparking anxiety among Nigerian citizens and prompting political commentary online.
However, the Air Force dismissed those reports, confirming that the crew was neither detained nor mistreated.
Ejodame noted that the personnel “have been accorded professional courtesy by the host nation.”
He added that plans are underway to continue the flight to Portugal once engineers finish assessing the aircraft.
Moreover, the Nigerian Air Force expressed appreciation to Nigerians and international partners for what it called “the overwhelming support and patience displayed throughout the unexpected delay.”
It reaffirmed its commitment to aviation safety and adherence to international regulations.
However, the episode took on a diplomatic tone after the Alliance of Sahel States, a joint military bloc comprising Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, described the landing as an “unwelcome action.”
In a collective statement broadcast across the three nations’ state media, the alliance claimed the aircraft entered Burkinabe airspace without prior authorisation.
The statement further declared that the bloc’s air forces had been placed on maximum alert and were “authorised to neutralise any aircraft” entering their airspace improperly.
The language underscored the deteriorating relationship between the alliance and neighbouring countries amid shifting geopolitical loyalties in the region.
Security analysts say the incident highlights growing diplomatic sensitivities in West Africa, where military governments are increasingly cautious about foreign military movements.
A Lagos-based defence expert remarked that “even a routine emergency can escalate politically when regional trust is low.”
Meanwhile, officials in Abuja remain optimistic that the matter will be resolved without confrontation, maintaining that the aircraft followed recognised global emergency procedures.
The developing situation adds to the complex security and diplomatic landscape across the Sahel, where aviation, intelligence, and military activity continue to influence relations among neighbouring states.