Tension Mounts As Nigeria Says Detained NAF Aircraft, Soldiers Still Held Abroad

The ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said the Federal Government is in active talks with Burkinabe authorities to secure an amicable resolution.

“We are engaging with them, but the personnel and the aircraft have not been released,” Ebienfa told Sunday PUNCH.

He explained that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has assumed full responsibility for the negotiations aimed at freeing both the detained officers and the aircraft.

Although the ministry declined to provide specific details on the incident, it assured that the matter is being addressed through established diplomatic channels.

The Air Force personnel were detained last week after their C-130 aircraft reportedly made an emergency landing in Burkina Faso, following allegations of airspace violation by the host country.

The Confederation of Sahel States (AES) — comprising Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger — accused Nigeria of breaching Burkinabe airspace, describing the landing as an “unfriendly act” and a violation of international law.

The regional bloc further stated that its member countries have been authorised to neutralise any aircraft that enters their airspace without approval.