Connect with us

News

FG wades in as Burkina Faso refuses to release seized NAF C-130 plane, 11 soldiers

Published

on

Spread the love

Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stepped in to sort out diplomatically issues around the Nigerian Air Force C-130 aircraft seized by the government of Burkina Faso.

Recall that the Confederation of Sahel States, AES, had in a statement signed by Assimi Goita, the Mali junta leader, alleged that the NAF plane entered the airspace of Burkina Faso without clearance, though NAF said the aircraft made precautionary landing in Bobo Dioulasso, one of Burkina Faso’s cities, due to technical problem.

The AES comprises Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger Republic, being three countries which pulled out of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, following the organisation’s opposition to  the military coups in the three countries.

Sources told our correspondent yesterday that though the NAF aircraft followed due process and international aviation statutes in making the precautionary landing, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger are seeing the situation as opportunity to get back at Nigeria, following her role in the actions taken by the regional bloc which led to their withdrawal from the group.

It was gathered that the situation has prompted high level diplomatic intervention between Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and officials of the government of Burkina Faso.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stepped in. The aircraft was ready to continue its journey to Portugal on Tuesday but signals from the Burkina Faso officials are unclear.  It will be sorted out at the diplomatic level,” a source told our correspondent.

When our correspondent contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for comment, the spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said earlier reports that the detained Nigeria military aircraft and soldiers had been released was false.“He, however, said that federal government was engaging its Burkina Faso counterpart diplomatically in order to secure the release of the soldiers and the aircraft.“

“They have not been released as we speak, but we are trying to secure that. We are engaging the Burkina Faso authorities using usual diplomatic channels,” he said.

“Asked what could have been reason behind the delay to release them by the Burkinabe government, he said the ministry wasn’t aware, but assured that every diplomatic channel was being explored to bring those detained home.

Recall that NAF on Tuesday disclosed that following the emergency landing of it’s C 130 aircraft in Burkina Faso over technical concerns on Monday, plans were ongoing to resume the flight to Portugal as scheduled.

Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of NAF Public Relations and Information had, in a statement titled, ”Safe Precautionary Landing of NAF C-130 Aircraft in Burkina Faso”, said plans were ongoing to resume the mission as scheduled but the plans did not work out, as the Burkinabe government refused to budge.

“The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) wishes to clarify reports regarding the diversion of a NAF C-130 aircraft during its ferry mission to Portugal on 8 December 2025.

“Following take-off from Lagos, the crew observed a technical concern which necessitated  a precautionary landing in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, the nearest airfield, in accordance with standard safety procedures and international aviation protocols.   NAF crew is safe and have received cordial treatment from the host authorities.

“Plans are ongoing to resume the mission as scheduled. The Nigerian Air Force appreciates the support received during this period and assures the public that NAF remains professionally committed to strict compliance with operational procedures and safety standards, ensuring the protection of its personnel while fulfilling its constitutional mandate,” NAF had said in a later statement issued on Tuesday.

A report by Agence d’Information du Burkina had said the aircraft was carrying 11 Nigerian military personnel, including two crew members and nine passengers, when it made an emergency landing.

Officials of the Confederation of Sahel States said their investigation showed the plane did not have authorisation to fly over Burkina Faso. “They described the episode as a breach of national sovereignty and expressed strong displeasure over the unauthorised entry.“The regional body also announced that its air and anti aircraft systems were on high alert, warning that any further airspace violations would be met with force.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Rep. Nkwonta Facilitates With Constituents, Nigerians On Easter

Published

on

Spread the love

 ……

Enjons Them  To Imbibe Christ -Like  Virtues

The Member, representing Ukwa East/West Federal Constituency and Chairman, House Committee on South East Development Commission (SEDC), Hon. Chris Nkwonta, has enjoined his Constituents and Nigerians, to imbibe the virtues of sacrifice, forgiveness, hope, patience, humility and love for humanity as exemplified by Our Lord Jesus Christ, which is the real essence of Easter Celebration.

In a statement personally signed by the Legislator, he called on his Constituents and the Christian Community in Nigeria to demonstrate Christ-like virtues of love for humanity, hope for a better future, peaceful and harmonious disposition in their dealings with one another for a United Ukwa Federal Constituency and indeed Nigeria, where brotherly love reigns amongst Citizens.

He maintained that despite the prevailing temporary economic difficulties; there is light at the end of the tunnel and strong hope for a better, improved and secured economy within a short period of time.

Hon. Nkwonta, wished everyone a hitch free and joyous Easter Celebration!

Continue Reading

News

Police, Lawyer Trade Tackles Over Killing Of Peace Moses By Hit-And-Run Convoy

Published

on

Spread the love

The Rivers State Police Command has declared that the tragic death of a 26-year-old lady, Peace Moses, an indigene of Akwa Ibom State, was not reported in any of its divisions or units across the state.

Peace was knocked down last Monday evening by a convoy of about 15 fast-moving vehicles around Omega Junction along Ada-George Road in Port Harcourt.

She was returning from an evening service at her church, Love Channel Christian Centre, also located along Ada-George Road, when the tragic incident occurred.

Last Thursday, a candlelight procession was organised in her honour by her friends and neighbours.

Speaking with our correspondent  in Port Harcourt yesterday, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Grace Iringe-Koko, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), wondered why neighbours could not report the incident to the Police.

Iringe-Koko stated that even the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the Rumuepirikom Police Division was unaware of the tragic incident.

“Probably they didn’t report any such incident to the Police Station because the DPO in charge of that area is asking me where and when the incident occurred.

See, if they don’t report cases to the Police, how would the Police know? We are not magicians. I just spoke with the DPO, and she said she is not aware of anything like that.

“Somebody needs to report or anyhow, information needs to get through so that we too will get it,” she said.

But reacting to the claim by the Police, a human rights lawyer, Courage Nsirimovu, said that, with or without a report on the tragic incident, the Police are duty-bound to investigate the matter.

Nsirimovu said: “The duty of the Nigerian police is to secure lives and properties, and where a life has been lost in such grievous circumstances, the police have a duty to investigate the matter on the basis of their mandate and the public need to prevent such a menace to human life.

“The Police have a duty to investigate the matter, with or without a petition.”

Continue Reading

News

Nigerians may seek third term for Tinubu – Oluwo

Published

on

Spread the love

The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, on Sunday said many Nigerians might seek a constitutional amendment to allow President Bola Tinubu to remain in office beyond two terms.

The monarch, in a congratulatory message by his spokesperson, Ibrahim Alli, to celebrate Tinubu’s 74th birthday, described the President as a decisive leader who has laid a renewed foundation of hope for the country.

“Many Nigerians may beg for a constitutional review for Tinubu to spend more than two terms in office. He is a leader who knows what he is doing,” he said.

Oluwo said the President had distinguished himself through what he described as a firm campaign against illegalities that had stalled the country’s economic growth.

He added that the President’s administrative prowess had driven notable gains, citing improvements in the naira, a rise in foreign reserves from about $1bn to between $49.5bn and $50.45bn as of late February/March 2026, and strengthened economic indices.

The monarch attributed the gains to structural reforms, including exchange rate unification, increased oil output and higher foreign investment inflows.

Oluwo also commended Tinubu for granting local government autonomy, increasing allocations to states, expanding road infrastructure and improving palliative distribution at the grassroots.

According to him, past leaders attempted similar economic reforms but were overwhelmed by public and political pressure.

He said only a capable leader could implement tough but necessary decisions to reposition the economy.

‎Oluwo added that the President’s policies had begun to impact the standard of living, noting that the next phase would be stability.

‎He said, “You are not yet a capable leader until you make decisions and stand by them. Many past presidents attempted to remove obstacles to economic prosperity but were overrun by public outcries. Tinubu has demonstrated uncommon leadership through reforms.

‎“Nigeria’s foreign reserves have increased to over $49.5bn from about $1bn. Local government autonomy is taking effect, states earn more, and road projects, including Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road and Sokoto-Badagry, are ongoing.”

 

Continue Reading

Trending