Nigerian authorities have confirmed the return of 11 military personnel earlier held in Burkina Faso after their C-130 aircraft made an unscheduled landing, closing a diplomatic episode that briefly stirred tension across the Sahel.
The personnel, two crew members and nine passengers, were released after days of scrutiny by Burkinabe officials.
The aircraft had diverted during a Lagos–Portugal ferry operation, prompting the emergency landing that reportedly drew suspicion from Burkina Faso’s military government.
Aviation officials in Abuja insisted the diversion followed established global safety protocols triggered by a technical fault mid-flight.
Burkina Faso’s authorities stated that the passengers were cleared to leave the country, although uncertainty still surrounds the status of the detained aircraft.
A senior official in Ouagadougou, who requested anonymity, explained that checks were carried out “to ensure the flight posed no security concerns,” adding that cooperation with Nigeria remained “important for regional stability.”
Nigerian Air Force spokesperson, Ehimen Ejodame, noted that the detained personnel were treated with courtesy throughout the process.
He confirmed that an internal review was underway but avoided stating whether the aircraft had prior clearance before entering Burkina Faso’s airspace.
“Our priority was ensuring the safe return of our officers, and we appreciate the professionalism shown during their stay,” Ejodame said.
AFRIPOST had reported that the Association of Sahel States (AES) had earlier described the aircraft’s entry as an “unfriendly act,” stressing that overflight permission was not granted before the C-130 approached Burkinabe territory.
Moreover, the timing of the incident drew heightened interest because it occurred barely 24 hours after Nigerian airstrikes in neighbouring Benin Republic targeted a camp allegedly linked to soldiers involved in a failed coup attempt.
Nigerian officials maintained that the airstrikes were carried out with the consent of Benin’s government and aligned with ECOWAS security guidelines.
Authorities in Abuja said the strikes were initiated after mutinous soldiers briefly seized the state broadcaster in Cotonou in a failed attempt to announce the removal of President Patrice Talon.
During a mediation and security council meeting in Abuja, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray, warned that West Africa remained fragile.
He urged member states to assess the region’s political direction and strengthen joint security operations.
“These developments remind us of the delicate state of our democratic institutions and the urgent need to reinforce collective vigilance,” Touray said.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Senate on Tuesday unanimously endorsed President Bola Tinubu’s request to deploy troops to Benin Republic, signaling Abuja’s deepening involvement in efforts to prevent further instability in the Gulf of Guinea.