Authorities in Burkina Faso have released 11 Nigerian military personnel who were held after a cargo C-130 aircraft from Lagos made an “unauthorised” emergency landing in Bobo-Dioulasso, the country’s second-largest city.
The breakaway Association of Sahel States (AES) said the aircraft entered Burkina Faso’s airspace without clearance and called the incident an “unfriendly act.” Burkina Faso’s authorities said the two crew members and nine passengers were permitted to return to Nigeria, though it was not immediately clear whether the aircraft itself was released.
Nigeria’s authorities said the plane made an unplanned stop at Bobo-Dioulasso airport because of a technical concern while en route to Portugal for a ferry mission, and that the landing was made “in accordance with standard safety procedures and international aviation protocols.” Ehimen Ejodame, a spokesperson for the Nigerian air force, said an investigation is ongoing and declined to confirm whether clearance had been sought, adding that the personnel had been treated well and that plans were underway to continue the mission. Separately, a domestic test flight in Niger state crashed on Sunday; both pilots survived.
The emergency landing drew heightened regional attention because it occurred a day after Nigerian airstrikes targeted a military camp in neighbouring Benin, where some soldiers linked to a foiled coup were reportedly hiding. Nigeria’s government in Abuja said it acted under Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) protocols, responding to a request from Beninese authorities after soldiers briefly seized the national broadcaster and announced the removal of President Patrice Talon.
Omar Touray, president of the Ecowas Commission, told the bloc’s mediation and security council in Abuja that the region is in a state of emergency, citing the fragility of democratic institutions and growing security challenges facing member states. He urged serious introspection and investment in the community’s security.
The AES split from Ecowas in January, accusing the larger bloc of interventions following military takeovers in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger—developments that have driven the AES countries away from traditional Western partners and closer to Russia.
