Eleven officers of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), detained in Burkina Faso for over a week, have broken their silence to appeal for urgent government intervention, expressing fears they may spend Christmas and the New Year in custody.
An Urgent Plea from Detention
Speaking anonymously through their colleagues on Monday, December 16, 2025, the detained personnel lamented their prolonged stay, which they described as amounting to detention. They specifically called on the Nigerian government, particularly the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to handle the matter with utmost seriousness and expediency.
The officers maintained that they were on an official ferry mission to Portugal for scheduled periodic depot maintenance of a C-130 military transport aircraft. They explained that a technical concern forced a precautionary landing at Bobo-Dioulasso in Burkina Faso a few hours after taking off from Lagos, contradicting Burkinabe claims of an airspace violation and forced landing.
Ministry Reacts Amidst Allegations of Neglect
The detained officers accused the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of neglect, stating that efforts to secure their release had not been felt. "The MFA hasn't been doing so well to get them released. They may be doing something but such action is not swift as expected," one of their colleagues told Daily Trust.
However, the Ministry's spokesman, Kimiebi Ebienfa, countered these claims. He revealed that the acting Ambassador had traveled to Bobo-Dioulasso last Wednesday to see the officers but was barred by Burkinabe authorities. "Many meetings have been held with the Burkinabe authorities to release them," Ebienfa stated, adding that insinuations against the Ministry were unfair.
Dismissing Espionage Claims
In a detailed rebuttal, the officers categorically denied widespread reports alleging espionage, SIGINT (Signals Intelligence) operations, or foreign sponsorship. They emphasized that the flight was a routine maintenance movement covered by all necessary documentation and provisions for diversion.
"The aircraft was not equipped with surveillance or data-collection systems of any kind," a statement from the officers clarified. They described the circulating narratives as a deliberate disinformation campaign aimed at discrediting Nigeria and straining regional relations, urging the public to rely on verified information.
As diplomatic channels continue to engage, the fate of the eleven personnel hangs in the balance, with the hope of a resolution before the festive season fading.
