Dare Babalola
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has debunked media reports claiming that Burkinabe authorities grounded a NAF C-130 aircraft for allegedly entering the country’s airspace without authorisation.
Spokesperson of the Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, made the clarifications regarding the situation in a statement on Tuesday morning.
Recall that Confederation of Sahel States (AES), a rival ECOWAS union, accused the aircraft carrying 11 Nigerian soldiers of violating Burkina Faso airspace.
AES, made up of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger Republic, was established after ECOWAS suspended the three nations over the toppling of democratic governments.
In a statement signed by Assimi Goita, the Mali junta leader, AES said the the Nigerian aircraft was forced to land in Bobo Dioulasso, on Monday.
Goita also directed that any aircraft which violates AES airspace should be neutralised.
“The Confederation of the Sahel States most strongly condemns this violation of its airspace and the sovereignty of its member states.
“Faced with this unfriendly act carried out in defiance of international law and international civil and/or military aviation rules, arrangements are made to guarantee the security of the Confederal airspace.
“In this regard, and on the instructions of the Heads of State, the Arian and anti-aircraft defences of the Confederal space put on maximum alert, in accordance with the Declaration of the College of Heads of State dated December 22, 2024, were authorised to neutralise any aircraft that would violate the confederal space,” the AES statement read.
However, Air Commodore Ejodame dismissed the reports as misleading, clarifying that the aircraft was not grounded by Burkina Faso but had diverted there due to a technical issue during a ferry mission to Portugal on 8 December 2025.
He explained, “Following takeoff from Lagos, the crew observed a technical concern which necessitated a precautionary landing in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso—the nearest available airfield—in line with standard safety procedures and international aviation protocols. The NAF crew is safe and has received cordial treatment from the host authorities.”
Ejodame added that plans were already underway for the aircraft to continue its mission as scheduled.
He reiterated that the Nigerian Air Force appreciates the cooperation extended by Burkinabe authorities and assured the public of the NAF’s unwavering commitment to operational professionalism, stringent safety standards, and the protection of its personnel while fulfilling its constitutional responsibilities.
