Burkina Faso’s military government has detained a Nigerian Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft and its 10-member crew following an emergency landing in Bobo-Dioulasso on Monday, sparking outrage among aviation and diplomatic experts who describe the action as a flagrant violation of international law.
Security analyst Zagazola Makama has condemned the seizure, suggesting that Burkina Faso’s hostile response stems from political resentment over Nigeria’s role in preventing a recent military coup in the Benin Republic rather than any legitimate airspace concerns.
In a detailed analysis posted on X (formerly Twitter), Makama criticized the detention as both vindictive and professionally unacceptable, emphasizing that the Nigerian aircraft had secured proper clearance before entering Burkinabe airspace.
“The seizure of 10 Nigerian Air Force personnel by Burkina Faso’s military regime after an emergency landing has ignited anger across diplomatic and aviation circles, with experts condemning the move as vindictive, unprofessional, and a direct breach of globally recognised ICAO safety procedures,” Makama stated.
According to the security expert, aviation sources confirmed that the crew adhered to all required protocols after experiencing technical difficulties mid-flight, including declaring an emergency and requesting access to the nearest suitable runway.
“The Nigerian C-130 Hercules aircraft, which made an emergency landing in Bobo-Dioulasso on Monday, had already obtained clearance before entering Burkina Faso’s airspace, contrary to AES claims. Aviation sources confirmed that the crew followed all required procedures after encountering an in-flight technical distress, including declaring an emergency and requesting the nearest available runway,” he explained.
Makama emphasized that under International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regulations, which take precedence over regional political disputes, aircraft experiencing emergencies possess an unrestricted right to land in any location, regardless of territorial or political considerations.
“Under ICAO international law, which supersedes regional disagreements, an aircraft facing distress has the unrestricted right to land anywhere, including in hostile territory or active war zones,” he noted.
He outlined the specific emergency protocols that mandate pilots to transmit distress signals, require air traffic control units to grant priority clearance, and prohibit any nation from denying landing rights to aircraft in distress, irrespective of political tensions or military status.
“Any obstruction or punishment of an emergency landing is treated as a serious violation of international aviation law,” Makama added.
Despite these universally recognized aviation safety standards, Burkina Faso’s military junta responded by detaining the crew, impounding the aircraft, and issuing confrontational statements through the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a bloc formed by Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger after their withdrawal from ECOWAS.
Citing multiple diplomatic sources, Makama argued that the seizure has little connection to airspace violations and instead reflects Burkina Faso’s political grievances against Nigeria.
According to the analyst, Nigeria’s intervention in thwarting the December 7 coup attempt in Benin Republic—which would have expanded the AES alliance to four members—angered Burkina Faso’s leadership.
“Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, having withdrawn from ECOWAS to form the AES, have taken increasingly confrontational postures. The failed coup in the Benin Republic would have added a fourth member to their alliance. Nigeria, working with Beninese authorities, helped abort the mutiny, an outcome that allegedly angered Ouagadougou,” Makama revealed.
“It was believed this political grievance drove their irrational and provocative treatment of the Nigerian Air Force crew,” he continued.
The security expert pointed out the contradiction in Burkina Faso’s position, noting that while the country claims sovereignty violations, neighboring Niger—also part of the AES—continues conducting joint military operations with Nigeria along their shared border.
“Ironically, while Burkina Faso claimed ‘sovereignty violation,’ the Nigerian Air Force and the Nigerien Air Force, both on opposing sides of the ECOWAS–AES political divide, continue to operate jointly on the border. Niger and Nigeria have been conducting joint operations against ISWAP in part of the North East,” Makama observed.
He described Burkina Faso’s approach as reflecting “the immaturity and isolationist attitude of Burkina Faso’s junta, which has adopted a policy of hostility even toward partners with whom they still maintain diplomatic ties.”
Makama also highlighted the logical inconsistency in Burkina Faso’s actions, noting that despite withdrawing from ECOWAS, the country continues operating its embassy in Nigeria and expects diplomatic protections for its missions on Nigerian territory.
“Despite withdrawing from ECOWAS, Burkina Faso continues to operate its embassy in Nigeria. This makes its hostile action even more illogical and diplomatically inappropriate. If they expect safe operations and immunity for their missions on Nigerian soil, they must uphold reciprocal commitments under international law,” he argued.
The analyst disputed claims made by AES officials regarding the circumstances of the landing, reaffirming that the Nigerian crew had obtained prior clearance and properly followed ICAO emergency procedures.
“Contrary to AES propaganda, the Nigerian aircraft had prior clearance, followed ICAO emergency protocols, declared distress, and was compelled to land for safety reasons,” Makama stated.
He explained that aircraft transponders may temporarily cease transmitting during emergencies—a normal occurrence that never justifies detaining flight crews.
“Aviation experts noted that aircraft transponders may switch off during emergencies, which is normal and never justifies detention of crew members. If every country were to behave as Burkina Faso did, global aviation would collapse into chaos,” he warned.
Makama cautioned that Burkina Faso’s precedent could endanger future aviation safety, noting that Burkinabe aircraft might one day require emergency landing in Nigerian airspace.
“Officials warn that Burkinabè aircraft could one day face emergencies and require landing in Nigerian airspace. If Nigeria were to apply the same hostile logic, lives could be lost unnecessarily. Aviation safety is built on mutual trust, not political revenge,” he said.
A senior aviation specialist who spoke with Makama characterized the incident as “a reckless display of ignorance and political bitterness.”
While the Nigerian government has not released an official statement on the detention, sources revealed to Makama that high-level diplomatic efforts are quietly underway to secure the immediate release of both the C-130 Hercules aircraft and the 10 detained military personnel.
The incident threatens to further strain relations between Nigeria and the AES member states, which have increasingly positioned themselves in opposition to ECOWAS and its leading member, Nigeria.
The Alliance of Sahel States was formed in 2023 after military juntas in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger seized power through coups and subsequently withdrew from ECOWAS, rejecting the regional bloc’s insistence on democratic governance and civilian rule.
The three countries have accused ECOWAS, particularly Nigeria, of serving Western interests and have sought closer alignment with Russia while distancing themselves from traditional partners like France.
The seizure of the Nigerian aircraft represents the most serious direct confrontation between Nigeria and the AES bloc since its formation, raising questions about the future of regional cooperation and aviation safety in West Africa.
As diplomatic channels work to resolve the standoff, aviation experts and international observers are watching closely to see whether Burkina Faso will respect established global aviation safety protocols or continue pursuing what critics describe as politically motivated retaliation against Nigeria.
