The Federal Government is stepping up diplomatic efforts to obtain the release of Nigerian troops and a C-130 military aircraft that are being detained in Burkina Faso. The Burkina Faso military government detained the troops and the aircraft, who are currently on their third day in custody, for allegedly violating the airspace of the Sahel nation. One of our journalists was informed on Wednesday by Nigerian military sources that the troops and aircraft were still being held and that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was now in charge of the situation.
They haven't been made public yet. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is now in charge of the situation. One insider stated, "We hope they will be released soon with their intervention."
The Nigerian Embassy has started negotiations with the Burkina Faso government, according to Kimiebi Ebienfa, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman, who confirmed the ministry's participation to one of our journalists.
"The Nigerian Embassy in Ouagadougou is interacting with the host authorities to secure their release," he stated.
A Nigerian Air Force aircraft carrying eleven soldiers was reportedly forced to land in Burkina Faso on Monday after allegedly breaching its airspace, according to claims from the country's government.
The Confederation of Sahel States issued a statement, which was carried by the state-run news outlet Agence d'Information du Burkina.
An examination conducted by Burkinabe authorities "highlighted the absence of authorization to fly over the territory of Burkina Faso for this military device," according to the statement.
The AES "condemns with the utmost firmness this violation of its airspace and the sovereignty of its member States," denouncing the occurrence as a breach of sovereignty.
The Nigerian Air Force responded to the event, stating that the people on board the C-130 aircraft that landed in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, are safe and being treated kindly by Burkinabe authorities.
Shortly after takeoff from Lagos on December 8, 2025, the crew discovered a mechanical issue, prompting the aircraft, which was on a ferry mission to Portugal, to make a cautious landing.
The crew diverted to the closest airfield in accordance with conventional safety procedures and international aviation rules, according to a statement released on Tuesday by Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information.
Plans were in place to restart the mission on time, according to Ejodame, who also stated that the Air Force remained committed to upholding stringent operational and safety requirements.
