FG opens diplomatic talks with B’Faso over detained aircraft, soldiers

File: The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa.

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The Federal Government is intensifying diplomatic efforts to secure the release of Nigerian soldiers and a C-130 military aircraft currently held in Burkina Faso, The PUNCH has learnt.

The soldiers and the aircraft, now on their third day in detention, were seized by the Burkina Faso military government over alleged violations of the Sahel country’s airspace.

On Wednesday, sources in the Nigerian military confirmed to one of our correspondents that the soldiers and aircraft were still in detention and said the matter was now being handled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“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,” one source said.

Confirming the ministry’s involvement, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, told one of our correspondents that the Nigerian Embassy had initiated talks with the Burkina Faso government.

He said, “The Embassy of Nigeria in Ouagadougou is engaging with the host authorities to secure their release.”

The PUNCH had earlier reported on Tuesday that the Government of Burkina Faso said a Nigerian Air Force aircraft carrying 11 soldiers was forced to land in the country on Monday after reportedly violating its airspace.

The development was reported by the Agence d’Information du Burkina, the state-run news agency, which published a statement from the Confederation of Sahel States.

The statement added that an investigation by Burkinabe authorities “highlighted the absence of authorisation to fly over the territory of Burkina Faso for this military device.”

The AES condemned the incident as a violation of sovereignty, stating that it “condemns with the utmost firmness this violation of its airspace and the sovereignty of its member States.”

Reacting to the incident, the Nigerian Air Force said personnel on board the C-130 aircraft that landed in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, are safe and receiving cordial treatment from Burkinabe authorities.

The aircraft, which was on a ferry mission to Portugal, made a precautionary landing after the crew detected a technical concern shortly after takeoff from Lagos on 8 December 2025.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the crew diverted to the nearest airfield in line with standard safety procedures and international aviation protocols.

Ejodame said plans were underway to resume the mission as scheduled, adding that the Air Force remained committed to strict operational and safety standards.

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