Burkina Faso Releases 11 Nigerian Troops After Unauthorized Plane Landing

Authorities in Burkina Faso have released 11 Nigerian military personnel held after a cargo plane from Lagos made an unauthorised emergency landing in its second largest city, Bobo-Dioulasso. The breakaway regional Association of Sahel States (AES) said on Monday that the C-130 aircraft had entered Burkina Faso's airspace without clearance, calling it an unfriendly act. Burkina Faso authorities said the two crew members and nine passengers were given permission to return to Nigeria but it remains unclear whether the aircraft was also released. According to officials, the Nigerian military personnel were detained on Saturday after the plane landed at the Bobo-Dioulasso airport without prior authorization. The AES described the incident as a serious breach of regional security protocols, stating that it compromised the safety and sovereignty of Burkina Faso. "This act was not only a breach of our airspace but also a threat to regional stability," said a spokesperson for the AES. "We cannot tolerate such actions and will continue to take necessary measures to protect our territory." The incident has raised concerns about the increasing militarization of the Sahel region and the potential for miscalculations that could lead to further tensions. The AES has been critical of Nigeria's military presence in the region, accusing it of conducting airstrikes in neighboring countries without permission. "We understand that Nigeria has a legitimate interest in combating terrorism, but this must be done in consultation with regional authorities and in accordance with international law," said the AES spokesperson. The release of the Nigerian personnel comes as a relief to the Nigerian military, which had expressed concern about the safety of its personnel. "We are grateful that our personnel have been released and are on their way back to Nigeria," said a spokesperson for the Nigerian military. "We will continue to work with regional authorities to resolve any outstanding issues and ensure the safety of our personnel." The incident has also highlighted the need for improved communication and coordination between regional military forces. The AES has called for a review of regional security protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future. "We must work together to prevent miscalculations and ensure that our actions do not compromise regional stability," said the AES spokesperson. The current status of the incident is that the Nigerian personnel have been released and are on their way back to Nigeria. The AES has announced that it will conduct a thorough review of the incident to determine the cause of the unauthorized landing and to identify measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The Nigerian military has expressed its commitment to working with regional authorities to resolve any outstanding issues and ensure the safety of its personnel.