Nigeria, Sahel States Present Conflicting Accounts Over Detained Military Aircraft and Personnel


Fresh diplomatic tension has emerged between Nigeria and a group of Sahel states following conflicting accounts surrounding the detention of a Nigerian Air Force C-130 aircraft and 11 military personnel in Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso. The incident, which unfolded on Tuesday, has sparked concerns about regional cooperation, military coordination, and the growing mistrust within West Africa’s security landscape.


According to senior Nigerian defence sources, the C-130 aircraft was on an officially approved mission to deliver logistics materials to Nigerian troops participating in regional security operations. These sources indicated that the flight plan had been duly communicated to the Burkinabe aviation authorities prior to departure. They further added that the detained personnel were carrying only standard operational equipment necessary for their assignment.

However, officials within Burkina Faso’s military-led government have presented a conflicting narrative. A statement from security officials in Ouagadougou, as reported by local media in the Sahel region, claimed that the Nigerian aircraft entered Burkinabe airspace without proper diplomatic or military clearance. According to these officials, the aircraft’s presence raised immediate security concerns, prompting its interception and the subsequent detention of the troops on board.

An eye witness account from Bobo Dioulasso Airport confirmed that the Nigerian aircraft was surrounded moments after landing, with Burkinabe security agents conducting a thorough inspection of the crew and cargo before escorting the personnel away for questioning. The same witness noted that the situation appeared tense but remained orderly throughout the process.

Nigeria’s Ministry of Defence has expressed disappointment over the handling of the matter. Senior officials stated that the detention was unnecessary and avoidable, stressing that it contradicted existing communication channels between both nations. According to defence analysts, the incident underscores the widening cracks between Nigeria and the military juntas governing Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, particularly since the formation of the Alliance of Sahel States.

Diplomatic discussions are currently ongoing as both sides work to clarify the circumstances surrounding the detention. Meanwhile, the fate of the Nigerian personnel remains a focal point of regional attention, with many observers calling for swift dialogue to prevent further escalation.

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