A diplomatic crisis has emerged in West Africa following the detention of eleven Nigerian military officers in Burkina Faso after their aircraft made an unscheduled landing. The incident occurred when a Nigerian Air Force C-130 transport plane experienced technical difficulties while en route to Portugal, forcing an emergency landing at Bobo-Dioulasso airfield in western Burkina Faso on Monday.
Contradictory narratives have surfaced regarding the circumstances. Nigerian authorities maintain the landing was a necessary safety procedure due to aircraft malfunction, with crew members receiving ‘cordial treatment’ from host authorities. However, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) – a coalition comprising Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger – claims the aircraft entered Burkinabè airspace without authorization, characterizing the incident as an ‘unfriendly act.’
The AES joint statement revealed that an immediate investigation confirmed the violation of airspace protocols, prompting the three nations to place their air forces on maximum alert with authorization to ‘neutralize any aircraft’ violating their collective airspace. According to the alliance, the aircraft carried two crew members and nine passengers, all identified as military officers.
This incident occurs against a backdrop of regional tensions following recent political developments. Nigeria recently led an ECOWAS mission to Benin following an attempted coup, deploying jets and troops to suppress the mutiny. The detained aircraft’s mission to Portugal remains unclear, though Nigerian officials stated plans were underway to resume the journey as scheduled.
The confrontation highlights deepening fractures within West African regional politics. Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have all withdrawn from ECOWAS earlier this year, citing political and security grievances, while simultaneously distancing themselves from Western powers and strengthening ties with Russia. This incident represents the first significant military confrontation between the newly formed AES alliance and ECOWAS leadership under Nigeria.