Burkina Faso has accused the Nigerian Air Force of unauthorized entry into its airspace after an aircraft from Nigeria made an emergency landing in Bobo-Dioulasso. This incident occurred when the Air Force C-130, which was en route to Portugal, encountered technical issues and landed without prior approval from Burkinabè authorities.
Burkinabè Minister of Territorial Administration, Emile Zerbo, stated that upon landing, eleven Nigerian military officers aboard the flight were detained. In response to the situation, the military governments of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger released a joint statement confirming the violation and denouncing it as undermining the sovereignty of their states.
Despite these claims, the Nigerian Air Force contended that the aircraft's landing was conducted as per safety protocols triggered by a technical malfunction. They reported that the crew was safe and had been treated well by local authorities, although details regarding their detention remain unclear.
The Nigerian statement also indicated plans to continue their mission to Portugal, emphasizing adherence to operational safety standards. Contrarily, the Alliance of Sahel States described the incident as an 'unfriendly act' and ordered their air forces to be on high alert against any future violations.
This incident unfolds against a backdrop of growing geopolitical tensions in West Africa, linking to recent military involvement from Nigeria in an Ecowas-led operation in Benin, following an attempted coup.
In recent months, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have distanced themselves from Ecowas and realigned their foreign relations, hinting at closer ties with non-Western powers, notably Russia.
