At least eleven Nigerian soldiers have reportedly been detained by the military authorities in Bobo-Dioulasso, located in Burkina Faso’s southwestern region.
Security analyst Bryant Grant revealed on X on Monday night that the soldiers were apprehended after their aircraft made an emergency landing while allegedly “violating AES airspace.”
According to the AES, a Nigerian Air Force C-130 aircraft entered Burkinabe airspace without authorisation and was forced to land in Bobo-Dioulasso.
The alliance further cautioned that any aircraft entering their airspace without permission would be “neutralised.”
This incident occurred just 24 hours after Nigeria deployed military aircraft to the Benin Republic on Sunday to help stop an attempted coup.
A video released by Burkinabe authorities has also surfaced showing officials addressing the situation.
As at the time this report was filed, neither the Nigerian government nor the military had issued an official response.
In a new update, another Sahel-focused security analyst, Brant Philip, said the Nigerian C-130 was most likely on a route toward Senegal, noting there was “nothing suspicious” about the flight path.
He explained on X:
“The only reasonable explanation for the Nigerian Air Force C-130 flying over southwest Burkina Faso is that it was headed to Senegal. Nothing too suspicious.”
Philip added that the aircraft may have switched off its transponder intentionally or due to an emergency, causing it to go off radar before diverting northwest into Burkina Faso, where it eventually carried out the emergency landing.
What do you think: Should Nigeria apply diplomatic pressure, negotiate for the release of the detained soldiers, or consider a stronger approach?
