Burkina Faso accuses Nigerian air force of violating its airspace

Eleven Nigerian military officers were briefly detained after their plane made an emergency landing in Burkina Faso, security sources in Burkina Faso told the BBC.

An Air Force C-130 aircraft entered Burkina Faso’s airspace without authorization on Monday, according to Burkina Faso’s Minister of Territorial Administration, Emile Zebo.

The military governments of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger said in a joint statement that their swift investigation confirmed “a violation of their airspace and the sovereignty of their member states.”

But the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said the plane bound for Portugal had to land in accordance with safety procedures due to technical issues.

The statement added that the crew “are safe and are being treated cordially by the host country authorities.” It did not mention whether they were detained.

The plane landed in western Burkina Faso and its second city, Bobo-Dioulasso. The National Air Force said this was the closest airport location when the plane made an emergency stop.

But Nigeria’s version of the incident contradicts the position of the three Sahel countries, formally known as the Alliance of States of the Sahel (AES), which said the plane entered Burkina Faso’s airspace without prior authorization and was forced to land.

“Burkina Faso’s authorities immediately launched an investigation and stressed that the military device lacked authorization to fly over Burkina Faso territory,” AES said in a joint statement.

The statement called the landing an “unfriendly act” and said the two countries’ respective air forces were on maximum alert and authorized to “suppress any aircraft that violates federal airspace.”

According to AES, there were two crew members and nine passengers, all officers, on board.

Burkina Faso authorities told the BBC the soldiers had been released and allowed to fly back to Nigeria.

In a statement, the national air force said it was planning to resume missions to Portugal as scheduled and assured the public that the air force remained committed to enforcing aviation operating procedures and safety standards.

Political analysts linked the incident to the deployment of troops to Benin by the West African regional bloc ECOWAS. After Sunday’s failed coup attempt.

Nigeria leads the regional mission, deploying jets and troops to suppress the rebellion in Benin.

Earlier this year, all three military-led countries, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, withdrew from ECOWAS, citing political and security grievances.

They have rejected ECOWAS demands that they return to democratic rule.

The three Sahel countries have also distanced themselves from Western countries, especially France, the former colonial ruler, while getting closer to Russia.