The Federal Government has said discussions are still ongoing over the detention of a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) C-130 aircraft and 11 soldiers by the Burkinabe authorities, noting that both the aircraft and the personnel are yet to be released.
The aircraft, crew and soldiers were seized on Monday after the plane made what was described as a precautionary landing in Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso. The Nigerian Air Force had earlier explained that the C-130 Hercules aircraft, which was en route to Portugal for routine maintenance, landed due to a technical fault.
However, authorities in Burkina Faso, alongside officials of the Confederation of Sahel States (AES), accused the crew of entering Burkinabe airspace without clearance, a claim they said justified the forced landing and subsequent detention of the aircraft.
Speaking on the development on Sunday, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Kimiebi Ebienfa, said the Federal Government was actively engaging the Burkinabe authorities to resolve the matter through diplomatic channels.
“We are engaging them, but they are yet to be released,” Ebienfa said.
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He added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had taken over the negotiations to ensure the safe release of both the aircraft and the detained Nigerian military personnel.
Following the takeover of the talks by the ministry, the Nigerian Air Force has remained silent on the matter.
Although the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not disclosed details of the ongoing discussions, it was gathered that Burkina Faso and other Sahel countries, including Mali and Niger — formerly members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) before their suspension over military coups — may be attempting to use the situation as a bargaining chip.
A retired military officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, suggested that the continued ECOWAS sanctions, which the affected countries believe Nigeria has significant influence over, have worsened their economic conditions.
“The blockade of trade and movement of goods and services by ECOWAS, which these countries feel is under Nigeria’s control, is seriously hurting them. France no longer does business with them, so they are under severe economic pressure,” he said.
According to him, the detention of the Nigerian military aircraft could be an attempt to compel Nigeria to negotiate economic relief or assistance.
“They believe bargaining with the military aircraft may be a way to get Nigeria’s attention and secure concessions. But we will see how it goes. That’s my personal opinion,” the officer added.