The Nigerian government has begun firm diplomatic talks with authorities in Burkina Faso to secure the release of a Nigerian Air Force C-130 aircraft and its crew.
The discussions involve senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Defence Headquarters and ECOWAS desks.
The incident happened after the aircraft, which left Lagos for Portugal, developed a technical problem mid-flight and requested the nearest safe airport.
Burkina Faso’s aviation officials granted clearance, and the crew landed in Bobo-Dioulasso.
They were received calmly, treated with respect, and engineers worked through the night to fix the fault.
Officials in Burkina Faso had already approved the aircraft’s departure after repairs when a sudden political directive halted the process.
Local officers were reportedly surprised by the order because the crew had followed all international emergency procedures under ICAO rules, which allow any aircraft in distress to enter the closest safe airspace without delay.
Burkina Faso’s reversal has now created a diplomatic issue.
Sources in Ouagadougou said some aviation and military officials are uncomfortable with the political decision, insisting there was no tension during the emergency landing.
According to diplomatic insiders, the problem goes beyond aviation.
Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger now operate under the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) after leaving ECOWAS.
Their withdrawal has created tension with ECOWAS-aligned countries, especially Nigeria.
The detention of the aircraft is believed to be tied to growing political grievances within the Sahel bloc.
Diplomats familiar with the matter said hardliners in Burkina Faso remain unhappy about the recently foiled coup attempt in Benin Republic.
Members of the AES had seen Benin as a possible new entrant into their alliance.
The failed coup, supported by external intelligence including cooperation with Nigeria, disrupted that plan and angered some figures within the Sahel group.
This lingering frustration reportedly played a role in the sudden order to hold the Nigerian aircraft after a routine emergency landing.
Security analyst Zagazola Makama also linked the detention to political resentment, describing the action as a response to Nigeria’s role in stopping the Benin coup.
He said that the crew followed every required emergency step, including declaring distress and requesting the closest runway.
