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Senator Calls for Military Action Against Burkina Faso over Detained Soldiers

A Nigerian senator has called on the government to prepare for military action against Burkina Faso to secure the release of 11 Nigerian soldiers detained there. This hawkish stance comes amid tense diplomatic efforts to resolve the incident, which both sides describe very differently, and risks inflaming regional tensions between Nigeria and a new alliance of West African states.

The Call to Arms

The call for a potential military response was made by Senator Ayodele Arise, a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress. In an interview on Arise TV, he urged President Bola Tinubu to consider using military pressure, arguing that Nigeria should not rule out force if diplomacy fails.

He contended that Nigeria must protect its sovereignty and make it clear that its military personnel "cannot be detained without consequences," stating that "good neighbourliness should not be mistaken for weakness". Senator Arise referenced a historical military operation by Israel in 1976 as an example of how decisive action can compel cooperation.

His comments came shortly after Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, confirmed the soldiers were still being held and that discussions were ongoing to resolve the matter "diplomatically". Tuggar dismissed speculation linking the detained officers to Nigeria's recent involvement in quelling a coup attempt in neighboring Benin.

Divergent Stories of a Routine Flight

The core of the dispute lies in conflicting accounts of why a Nigerian Air Force C-130 aircraft landed in Burkina Faso's second-largest city, Bobo-Dioulasso, on December 8th.

According to Nigerian authorities, the aircraft was on a routine ferry mission to Portugal for scheduled maintenance when the crew detected a technical concern shortly after takeoff from Lagos. They opted for a precautionary landing at the nearest suitable airfield in Bobo-Dioulasso "in accordance with standard safety procedures and international aviation protocols". The Nigerian Air Force spokesperson stated that the crew received "cordial support" from Burkinabe authorities and that plans were underway to resume the mission.

Burkina Faso and its allies tell a different story. The Alliance of Sahel States—a confederation comprising Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—asserts that the Nigerian aircraft entered Burkinabe airspace without prior authorisation and was forced to land. The AES condemned the incident as an "unfriendly act" and a violation of sovereignty. In a strong response, the AES announced it had placed its "air and anti-aircraft defences... on maximum alert" and authorised them to "neutralise any aircraft" found violating its airspace.

A Diplomatic Tangle Amid Regional Rifts

The incident is particularly sensitive due to the broader geopolitical rift in West Africa. In January 2025, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger officially withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the region's main political and economic bloc led by Nigeria. These three nations, now governed by military juntas, have distanced themselves from Western allies and moved closer to Russia.

The plane's landing occurred just one day after Nigeria, acting on an official request from the Beninese government, deployed fighter jets and troops to help foil a military coup attempt in Benin. This action demonstrated Nigeria's willingness to project military power within the ECOWAS framework, which the AES countries have rejected. The timing has led analysts and officials in the region to view the two events as connected, raising suspicions about the Nigerian flight's intent despite official denials.

For now, the path forward appears diplomatic. While Senator Arise's comments represent one bellicose voice, official channels indicate negotiations are continuing. The situation remains a delicate test of diplomacy, balancing national pride and regional security in a part of Africa where alliances are rapidly shifting.
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