Nigeria has formally apologised to Burkina Faso following the unauthorised entry of a Nigerian military aircraft into Burkinabè airspace, an incident that briefly escalated diplomatic tensions and led to the detention of 11 Nigerian servicemen.
Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, delivered the apology during a visit to Burkina Faso’s capital, Ouagadougou, where he met with the country’s military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré. Tuggar described the incident as regrettable and attributed it to irregularities in overflight authorisation.
According to the Nigerian Air Force, the military jet was en route to Portugal when it developed a technical fault and was forced to land unexpectedly in Burkina Faso. However, the aircraft reportedly entered Burkinabè airspace without prior clearance, triggering alarm among regional authorities.
The incident drew a strong response from the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a military bloc comprising Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. In a statement, the alliance described the unauthorised landing as an “unfriendly act” and said its member states had placed their air forces on maximum alert, authorising them to neutralise any aircraft violating their airspace.
The three AES countries, all under military rule, have withdrawn from ECOWAS and increasingly aligned with Russia, deepening regional divisions in West Africa.
Tuggar’s spokesperson confirmed to the BBC that the detained Nigerian servicemen had since been released and were in good condition, although no specific date was given for their return to Nigeria. The aircraft involved also remains in Burkina Faso, with arrangements for its departure still unclear.
Following high-level talks, Nigeria’s foreign ministry said both countries agreed to maintain regular diplomatic consultations and explore practical steps to strengthen bilateral relations and regional cooperation.
About the Author
