Uncertainty surrounds status of Nigerian soldiers held in Burkina Faso

NAF jet

Uncertainty persisted on Tuesday over the status of 11 Nigerian Air Force personnel and the C-130 aircraft held by authorities in Burkina Faso after the plane allegedly violated the Sahel country’s airspace.

As of 8pm, two senior military officials told The PUNCH that neither the personnel nor the aircraft had been released.

One of the officials said, “They have not been released. We are still waiting (for their release).”

Another senior official, who insisted the military did nothing wrong, confirmed the same position.

“We are still monitoring the situation. Article 25 of the Chicago Convention (1944) requires countries to permit aircraft in distress to land and to provide assistance.

“This is one condition on which military aircraft are allowed to enter foreign airspace without permission. Emergency situations override because the priority is saving lives. The aircraft is not entering for operational or hostile reasons; it is considered a force majeure situation.”

However, a BBC report offered a conflicting account.

Citing Burkinabè security sources, the outlet reported that the personnel had only been briefly held and were already cleared to return.

The report stated: “Eleven Nigerian military officers were briefly detained in Burkina Faso after their aircraft made an emergency landing in the country, Burkinabè security sources told the BBC. The soldiers were released and given permission to fly back to Nigeria.” Punch