NAF Says 11 Officers, C-130 Aircraft Seized in Burkina Faso
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has disclosed that 11 of its officers and a C-130 military transport aircraft seized by authorities in Burkina Faso have not yet been released, dismissing claims that the mission was linked to espionage or intelligence gathering.
In an official statement, the NAF clarified that the aircraft, which made a precautionary landing in Burkina Faso, was on a routine ferry flight for scheduled maintenance and not on any covert or spy mission, as widely speculated in some quarters.
According to the Air Force, the C-130 aircraft developed a technical issue mid-flight, necessitating an unscheduled safety landing in line with international aviation protocols. The service stressed that the flight complied with standard operational procedures and posed no security threat to Burkina Faso or any neighbouring country.
The NAF further revealed that despite ongoing diplomatic engagements between Nigerian authorities and the Burkinabe government, both the aircraft and the 11 military personnel remain under restriction, contrary to reports suggesting their release.
“The Nigerian Air Force wishes to categorically state that the aircraft was not on any espionage mission. The flight was a routine logistics operation, and the diversion was purely for safety reasons,” the statement noted.
The development comes amid heightened regional tensions within the Sahel, following strained relations between some West African countries and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which includes Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.
Security analysts warn that the incident underscores growing diplomatic and military mistrust in the region, calling for sustained dialogue to prevent escalation and misinterpretation of military movements.
As of the time of filing this report, Nigerian authorities say discussions are ongoing to secure the release of the detained officers and the aircraft, while the Air Force reassures Nigerians that all personnel involved are safe and being monitored closely.
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