- FG Confirms 11 Air Force Officers, Aircraft Still Held in Burkina Faso
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs leading diplomatic negotiations
- AES accuses Nigeria of airspace violation
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that 11 Nigerian Air Force personnel and a C 130 aircraft detained in Burkina Faso have not been released, as diplomatic engagements between both countries continue.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the confirmation was given on Sunday by the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, who said the Federal Government was actively engaging Burkina Faso authorities to resolve the situation.
“We are engaging them, but they are yet to be released,” Ebienfa said.
He added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had taken full responsibility for the negotiations aimed at securing the release of the detained military personnel and the aircraft.
The ministry, however, declined to provide further details on the circumstances surrounding the detention, noting that discussions were ongoing through appropriate diplomatic channels.
The Nigerian Air Force personnel were detained last week after their aircraft reportedly made an emergency landing in Burkina Faso. Authorities in the country later cited alleged airspace violations as the reason for the detention.
Following the incident, the Confederation of Sahel States, a regional bloc comprising Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, accused Nigeria of violating Burkinabe airspace.
The bloc described the landing of the Nigerian military aircraft as an “unfriendly act carried out in defiance of international law.”
The AES further authorised its member states to neutralise any unauthorised aircraft found within their airspace, heightening regional tensions over airspace control and military movements.
Nigeria has not publicly responded to the specific accusations made by the AES but has continued diplomatic efforts to secure the safe release of its personnel and equipment.
Officials said discussions remain focused on a peaceful and diplomatic resolution to avoid further escalation between Nigeria and the Sahel states.
