Burkina Faso yet to release seized C-130 aircraft, detained 11 soldiers — FG

The Federal Government said that discussions were still ongoing over the detention of a Nigerian Air Force C-130 aircraft and 11 soldiers, noting they were yet to be released by the Burkinabe government.

Recall that the aircraft, crew and soldiers onboard the plane were seized on Monday, shortly after the crew made what it described as a precautionary landing in Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.

The Nigeria Air Force, NAF, had said the aircraft on its way to Portugal for maintenance made a precautionary landing due to technical faults.

However, the government of Burkina Faso and its counterpart in the Confederation of Sahel States, AES, accused the crew of entering its airspace without clearance, explaining why the Hercules plane was forced to land.

However, speaking on the development on Sunday, spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Kimiebi Ebienfa, said the federal government was actively engaging the authorities of the country involved to resolve the matter diplomatically.

“We are engaging them, but they are yet to be released,” Ebienfa said.

He added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had taken over the discussions to ensure the safe release of both the aircraft and the Nigerian military personnel.

With the takeover of negotiation of the aircraft and military personnel, the Nigerian Air Force has chosen to keep mute on the matter.

Though the ministry is handling the matter and not releasing details about talks on the issue,

It was, however, gathered that Burkina Faso and other Sahel states, including Mali and Niger, which were members of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, before they were suspended due to violent military overthrow of democratic institutions in their countries, are trying to use the situation as a bargaining chip.

“My observation is that the blockade of trade, movement of goods and services by ECOWAS, which these three countries feel is under Nigeria’s control, is seriously hurting them and has worsened their economic situation. Don’t forget that France no longer does business with them, so they are in difficulty.

“They feel the way to break out of the difficult situation they find themselves in is to use Nigeria to negotiate a way out or secure some economic assistance or relief by bargaining with the military aircraft. But we will see how it goes. That’s my personal opinion,” one retired officer said