₦airaland Forum

FG wades in as Burkina Faso refuses to release seized NAF C-130 plane, 11 soldiers

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stepped in to sort out diplomatic issues around the Nigerian Air Force C-130 aircraft seized by the government of Burkina Faso.

Recall that the Confederation of Sahel States, AES, had in a statement signed by Assimi Goita, the Mali junta leader, alleged that the NAF plane entered the airspace of Burkina Faso without clearance, though NAF said the aircraft made a precautionary landing in Bobo Dioulasso, one of Burkina Faso’s cities, due to a technical problem.

The AES comprises Mali, Burkina Faso and the Niger Republic, being three countries which pulled out of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, following the organisation’s opposition to the military coups in the three countries.

Sources told Vanguard yesterday that though the NAF aircraft followed due process and international aviation statutes in making the precautionary landing, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger are seeing the situation as an opportunity to get back at Nigeria, following her role in the actions taken by the regional bloc which led to their withdrawal from the group.

It was gathered that the situation has prompted high-level diplomatic intervention between Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and officials of the government of Burkina Faso.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stepped in. The aircraft was ready to continue its journey to Portugal on Tuesday but signals from the Burkina Faso officials are unclear. It will be sorted out at the diplomatic level,” a source told Vanguard.

When Vanguard contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for comment, the spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said earlier reports that the detained Nigerian military aircraft and soldiers had been released were false. “He, however, said that the federal government was engaging its Burkina Faso counterpart diplomatically in order to secure the release of the soldiers and the aircraft.“

“They have not been released as we speak, but we are trying to secure that. We are engaging the Burkina Faso authorities using usual diplomatic channels,” he said.

“Asked what could have been the reason behind the delay to release them by the Burkinabe government, he said the ministry wasn’t aware, but assured that every diplomatic channel was being explored to bring those detained home.

Recall that NAF on Tuesday disclosed that following the emergency landing of it’s C 130 aircraft in Burkina Faso over technical concerns on Monday, plans were ongoing to resume the flight to Portugal as scheduled.

Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of NAF Public Relations and Information, had, in a statement titled, ”Safe Precautionary Landing of NAF C-130 Aircraft in Burkina Faso, said plans were ongoing to resume the mission as scheduled, but the plans did not work out, as the Burkinabe government refused to budge.

“The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) wishes to clarify reports regarding the diversion of a NAF C-130 aircraft during its ferry mission to Portugal on 8 December 2025.

“Following take-off from Lagos, the crew observed a technical concern which necessitated a precautionary landing in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, the nearest airfield, in accordance with standard safety procedures and international aviation protocols. The NAF crew is safe and has received cordial treatment from the host authorities. “

“Plans are ongoing to resume the mission as scheduled. The Nigerian Air Force appreciates the support received during this period and assures the public that NAF remains professionally committed to strict compliance with operational procedures and safety standards, ensuring the protection of its personnel while fulfilling its constitutional mandate,” NAF had said in a later statement issued on Tuesday.

A report by Agence d’Information du Burkina had said the aircraft was carrying 11 Nigerian military personnel, including two crew members and nine passengers, when it made an emergency landing.

Officials of the Confederation of Sahel States said their investigation showed the plane did not have authorisation to fly over Burkina Faso. “They described the episode as a breach of national sovereignty and expressed strong displeasure over the unauthorised entry.“The regional body also announced that its air and anti-aircraft systems were on high alert, warning that any further airspace violations would be met with force.

Kalashnikov49:
My take:


Who sent the plane to Burkina Faso.
A C130 is a Transport plane. What was the essence of the trip.? What equipment was it carrying?
Portugal has refuted the lie of the Army claiming they were coming for a visit.


The fact that the Army came and told lies means explicitly that the SECURITY apparatus of the country is totally compromised.

Burkina Faso is a member of West African Nations that are against ECOWAS and have already threatened to bring down any rescue JET that is foreign to their airspace.

Will they now use propaganda to cover this obvious void in the chain of command in the armed forces?

Burkina Faso is totally ready for anything.

Now it's obvious that FRANCE has the ballz of TINUBU in their hands.

Anything France says, TINUBU does.

Awon Sophisticated strategist....come and talk.

Nonsense.

sweerychick:
Tinubu just started what he can't finish

sweerychick:
that is why he's always in France, Tinubu might end up like Laurent Gbagbo

fuckingAyaya:
Bulaba madness stop for benin republic

Sheuns:
They released some pictures and statements just a day after the incident to claim it didn’t happen, now we’re here.

APC and Tinubu has turned every organ of government and even the military into their propaganda machine.

Artscollection:
The set of leaders we have now are so wicked and bent on destroying Nigeria just for a crumb of bread. It's obvious they are running a covert mission for France just for their selfish interest without even considering the effect on the whole region. These people are definitely sponsoring the Insecurity in our country

MarkNsukkaBread:
They will soon get what they're looking for, you dare not mess with Nigeria!

mactoni91:
Tinubu’s decision to involve Nigeria in the Benin Republic conflict was a serious miscalculation.

Many African countries have been waiting for even the slightest opportunity to challenge or demystify Nigeria’s position as the so-called “Giant of Africa.” At a time when our internal security architecture is already overstretched, sending troops across the border was unnecessary and ill-timed.

What Tinubu should have focused on was strengthening our military from within, especially by decisively dismantling the Islamic terrorist networks that have for years made our armed forces appear weakened and overwhelmed. That internal threat alone has done more damage to Nigeria’s military credibility than any external force.

People will be shocked to know the kind of sophisticated weapons some smaller African nations have acquired. Many of them are quietly backed by major global powers and are more prepared for confrontation than we assume. In a direct face-off, several of these countries can match Nigeria pound for pound, something our leadership seems to ignore.

This entire episode should serve as an eye-opener.

Instead of dragging Nigeria into avoidable regional conflicts, our leaders should be rebuilding and modernizing our military defenses, not creating opportunities for political actors to siphon funds or strategize on election rigging.

Truth is, we have never had it this bad in Nigeria.

MarkNsukkaBread:
So Nigeria should stand by and watch rogue military officers truncate democratic nations all around her?

You know nothing!

Kalashnikov49:
France just like UK is a colonial master that refuses to let countries they colonise to have freedom.

The UK is very comfortable doing their bidding through the Fulani Northern Oligarchy.

France is very comfortable doing their through the SW region. Tinubu and Obasanjo

Remember, Obasanjo gave Cameroon, Bakassi peninsula that Abacha refused adamantly.

It's all about their personal aggrandizement. They don't love the NIGERIA they claim to love. If Bakassi was in the SW, Obasanjo will NEVER allow it , but because it's a SE region .it's not worth it according to him.

All Peter Obi supporters that appreciate Obasanjo should know that if a chance occurs today for Obasanjo to be PRESIDENT contesting against Peter Obi. He Obasanjo will NEVER stepdown for OBI.

Obasanjo might be enemies to TINUBU, but when it comes to individual actions, it's all about their personal interests.

Dem no send anyone message.

MarkNsukkaBread:
They will soon get what they're looking for, you dare not mess with Nigeria!

MarkNsukkaBread:
They will soon get what they're looking for, you dare not mess with Nigeria!