After days of mounting regional tension, officials in Abuja have finally addressed the controversy surrounding the Nigerian C-130 military aircraft forced to land in Bobo-Dioulasso by Burkinabè fighter jets.
In their first public statement, Nigerian authorities insisted the aircraft and its crew were en route to Portugal and “accidentally” diverted to Bobo-Dioulasso — a claim that has been met with widespread skepticism across West Africa.
Aviation observers and security analysts were quick to point out that the explanation appears geographically implausible. A standard flight path from Nigeria to Portugal runs northwest, typically routing through Niger, Algeria, or the Mediterranean corridor — not anywhere near southwestern Burkina Faso.
Critics note that Bobo-Dioulasso lies hundreds of kilometres off any logical transit route, and say the official narrative does little to clarify what led to the dramatic interception that has rattled relations between Abuja and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
Meanwhile, regional diplomats warn that the conflicting accounts risk further inflaming tensions unless a transparent, verifiable explanation is provided. AES capitals have continued to demand answers, insisting that the aircraft violated restricted airspace without prior clearance.
As both sides trade statements, the forced landing remains shrouded in uncertainty — and the region watches closely to see whether the incident becomes a diplomatic flashpoint or a catalyst for clearer military-to-military communication in West Africa.
Source:@Cecild84
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