By Ali Elias
Nigeria has formally apologised to Burkina Faso following a diplomatic incident triggered by the unauthorised entry of a Nigerian military aircraft into Burkinabè airspace, an episode that led to the temporary detention of 11 Nigerian servicemen and heightened tensions within the region.
The apology was conveyed by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, who led a high-level delegation to Ouagadougou on Wednesday to meet with Burkina Faso’s military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré. The incident had drawn a sharp reaction from the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a bloc comprising Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
According to Tuggar, the aircraft was en route to Portugal when it developed a technical fault that necessitated an unscheduled landing in Burkina Faso. He acknowledged that the flight did not obtain the required overflight clearance, describing the lapse as regrettable.
“There were irregularities concerning the overflight authorisations, which was regrettable, and we apologise for this unfortunate incident,” Tuggar said during a televised address following talks with the Burkinabè authorities.
Nigeria’s Air Force had earlier confirmed that the aircraft encountered technical difficulties, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the detained personnel had since been released and were expected to return to Nigeria. Tuggar’s spokesperson told the BBC that the servicemen were in good condition, although no specific timeline was given for their return, nor for the repatriation of the aircraft.
The unauthorised landing escalated into a broader diplomatic dispute after the AES described the incident as an “unfriendly act”. In a strongly worded statement, the bloc said its member states had placed their air forces on maximum alert and authorised them to “neutralise any aircraft” violating their airspace.
The episode underscores the fragile relations between West African states following a series of military coups in the Sahel. Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—now governed by military juntas—have withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and increasingly aligned themselves with Russia, marking a sharp departure from the Western-oriented posture of most ECOWAS members, including Nigeria.
Despite the tensions, both Abuja and Ouagadougou signalled a desire to de-escalate the situation. Nigeria’s Foreign Ministry said discussions between the two sides emphasised dialogue and cooperation, with an agreement to maintain regular consultations and pursue practical steps to strengthen bilateral relations and regional integration.
While the immediate crisis appears to have been defused, analysts say the incident highlights the growing sensitivity around airspace, security cooperation, and diplomatic engagement in a region where mistrust among neighbours is deepening amid shifting geopolitical alliances.