The Federal Government has opened diplomatic negotiations with Burkina Faso to secure the release of Nigerian soldiers and a C-130 military aircraft currently being held in the Sahel country.
The aircraft and the troops aboard are entering their third day in custody after Burkinabe authorities accused the Nigerian Air Force of violating the country’s airspace.
Military sources confirmed on Wednesday that the personnel and the aircraft remained in detention while the matter had been handed over to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
One of the sources said the government was pushing for a resolution. The source noted, “They have not been released yet. The matter is now being handled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We hope they will be released soon with their intervention.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also confirmed that talks had begun. Its spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said the Nigerian Embassy in Ouagadougou had initiated discussions with the host government.
He said, “The Embassy of Nigeria in Ouagadougou is engaging with the host authorities to secure their release.”
Burkina Faso’s state-run news agency had earlier reported that the C-130 aircraft, which was carrying 11 Nigerian soldiers, was forced to land on Monday after allegedly entering the country’s airspace without authorisation.
The report added that findings by Burkinabe officials “highlighted the absence of authorisation to fly over the territory of Burkina Faso for this military device.”
The Confederation of Sahel States condemned the development as a breach of sovereignty, saying it “condemns with the utmost firmness this violation of its airspace and the sovereignty of its member States.”
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force has reassured that the detained personnel are safe. The Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the crew diverted to Bobo-Dioulasso for a precautionary landing after detecting a technical concern shortly after leaving Lagos on December 8.
He explained that the diversion followed standard international safety procedures. Ejodame added that arrangements were being made to complete the mission in Portugal as initially planned.
FG officials say diplomatic engagement will continue until the troops and the aircraft are released.
