The Digest:
Burkina Faso has released eleven Nigerian military officers who were detained after a Nigerian Air Force C-130 transport aircraft made an unauthorized landing in Bobo-Dioulasso, an incident that heightened regional tensions amid fallout from Nigeria’s involvement in thwarting the Benin coup. While Nigeria cited a technical emergency, the Alliance of Sahel States termed the entry a violation of sovereignty and an “unfriendly act.”
Key Points:
- Burkina Faso released 11 Nigerian officers after detaining them following an unauthorised aircraft landing
- The Nigerian Air Force claimed the C-130 had diverted due to a technical fault en route to Portugal
- Burkina Faso and the AES alliance called the entry a violation of airspace and sovereignty
- The AES placed its air forces on maximum alert and vowed to “neutralise” any unauthorised aircraft
- The incident reflects heightened regional suspicion following Nigeria’s military role in Benin
- Niger also announced new security restrictions on goods entering from Nigeria
- Nigeria stated the aircraft would resume its mission and praised Burkina’s “cordial treatment.”
Sources: Business Insider
