The Federal Government is still in talks with the Burkinabe government over the detention of a Nigerian Air Force C-130 aircraft and 11 soldiers.
The aircraft was seized after making a precautionary landing in Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, due to technical faults while en route to Portugal for maintenance.
The Nigerian Air Force had explained that the landing was necessary due to technical issues, but Burkina Faso and the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) accused the crew of entering their airspace without clearance.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, stated that diplomatic efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the aircraft and personnel.
“We are engaging them, but they are yet to be released,” Ebienfa said.
Some speculate that Burkina Faso and other Sahel states might be using the situation as leverage, given their strained economic situation and past tensions with ECOWAS, which they feel are influenced by Nigeria.