By Joy Yesufu
The Nigerian Air Force has denied claims by Burkina Faso’s military authorities that a C-130 transport aircraft violated the country’s airspace before making an emergency landing in Bobo-Dioulasso on Monday.
In a statement issued Tuesday, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the aircraft on a ferry mission from Lagos to Portugal diverted moments after takeoff due to a technical alert and landed at the nearest available airfield in line with international aviation safety protocols.
According to Ejodame, the crew followed established safety procedures and were “cordially received” upon landing, adding that all personnel on board were safe.
He stressed that the diversion was a precautionary measure, not an airspace breach, and that arrangements were underway for the aircraft to continue its journey once technical checks were completed.
However, Burkina Faso’s ruling junta and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES)—the military confederation comprising Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—released a conflicting account earlier .
The AES announced that the aircraft was intercepted while “operating inside Burkinabe airspace without authorisation” and was forced to land after what it described as an in-flight emergency.
In its statement, the AES said eleven Nigerian military personnel, two crew members and nine passengers were taken into custody for questioning. The alliance claimed an investigation showed the aircraft lacked valid clearance to fly through its airspace and described the incident as a violation of its sovereignty.
“The air defence and anti-aircraft systems of the confederal space have been placed on maximum alert and authorised to neutralise any aircraft that violates the confederal airspace,” the AES said.
The contradictory statements have fueled diplomatic tensions between Abuja and the Sahelian bloc, which has had strained relations with Nigeria following recent regional security realignments.
NAF maintained that its operations strictly adhere to internationally recognised aviation safety and operational standards.
