By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Nigerian Air Force has issued an official statement addressing the circumstances of one of its aircraft currently under capture in Burkina Faso

Spokesperson of the Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, made certain explanations regarding the situation in a statement on Tuesday morning.

Nigerian Tracker News had earlier reported that the Confederation of Sahel States (AES), a rival ECOWAS union, accused the aircraft carrying 11 Nigerian soldiers of violating Burkina Faso airspace.

AES, made up of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger Republic, was established after ECOWAS suspended the three nations over the toppling of democratic governments.

In a statement signed by Assimi Goita, the Mali junta leader, AES said the the Nigerian aircraft was forced to land in Bobo Dioulasso, on Monday.

Goita also directed that any aircraft which violates AES airspace should be neutralised.

“The Confederation of the Sahel States most strongly condemns this violation of its airspace and the sovereignty of its member states.

“Faced with this unfriendly act carried out in defiance of international law and international civil and/or military aviation rules, arrangements are made to guarantee the security of the Confederal airspace.

“In this regard, and on the instructions of the Heads of State, the Arian and anti-aircraft defences of the Confederal space put on maximum alert, in accordance with the Declaration of the College of Heads of State dated December 22, 2024, were authorised to neutralise any aircraft that would violate the confederal space,” the AES statement read.

In a stark contrast of the claim made above, Nigeria’s Air Commodore Ejodame explained that the Nigerian aircraft had an emergency landing in Burkina Faso due to safety issues.

He said those on board the aircraft were fine and would soon continue their mission to Europe.

“The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) wishes to clarify reports regarding the diversion of a NAF C-130 aircraft during its ferry mission to Portugal on 8 December 2025.”

“Following takeoff from Lagos, the crew observed a technical concern which necessitated a precautionary landing in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, the nearest airfield, in accordance with standard safety procedures and international aviation protocols. NAF crew is safe and have received cordial treatment from the host authorities.

“Plans are ongoing to resume the mission as scheduled. The Nigerian Air Force appreciates the support received during this period and assures the public that NAF remains professionally committed to strict compliance with operational procedures and safety standards, ensuring the protection of its personnel while fulfilling its constitutional mandate.”

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Federal Government has ordered ministries, departments, and agencies to carry over 70 per cent of their 2025 capital budget into the 2026 fiscal year as the administration moves to prioritise the completion of existing projects and contain spending pressures in the face of weak revenues.

This directive is contained in the 2026 Abridged Budget Call Circular issued by the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and circulated to all ministers, service chiefs, heads of agencies and top government officials in Abuja.

The circular, as released by the ministry on Monday, stated that the annual budget estimates must follow strict guidelines and that all officers responsible for budget preparation were expected to comply fully. The circular made clear that the preparations for the 2026 budget would not allow the introduction of new capital projects.

It stated that ministries and agencies must continue with the allocations already approved in the 2025 budget rather than seeking fresh projects. The document said MDAs are required to upload 70 per cent of their 2025 budget to continue next year, and that this must be done in line with national priorities.

It explained that the rollover is based on what it described as the immediate needs of the country and the development priorities of the administration. It listed the priorities that align with the policy direction of the government, such as national security, the economy, education, health, agriculture, infrastructure, power and energy, as well as social safety nets, including women and youth empowerment.

According to the circular, “MDAs are to upload 70 per cent of their 2025 FGN Budget to continue in FY2026. All such rollover and uploads MUST be in line with the immediate needs of the country as well as government’s development priorities that aligns with the policy direction of the new administration which hinges on National Security, the Economy, Education, Health, Agriculture, Infrastructure, Power & Energy as well as social safety nets, women & youth empowerment.”

The circular stated that the government had established a framework that sets capital budget ceilings for 2026 at 70 per cent of the 2025 project allocations. It also explained that only 30 per cent of the 2025 capital budget would be released within the current fiscal year, while the remaining 70 per cent would serve as the foundation for the 2026 capital budget, replacing the previous method of a traditional rollover.

It said this would ensure continuity for ongoing projects and eliminate wasteful duplication. The document emphasised that ministries must not attempt to exceed their overhead ceilings from 2025 when preparing their 2026 submissions.

It acknowledged that inflation is affecting costs but said the government is constrained by revenue challenges. It added that the government would sustain the effort to achieve full release of the overhead budget but warned that proposals that go beyond approved ceilings would be adjusted downward.

According to the circular, “MDAs are required to work within and not exceed their 2025 overhead ceilings (Executive Proposal) for the purpose of preparing their 2026 Overhead budget submissions. While we note the impact of inflation on overhead costs, we are, however, constrained by revenue challenges in providing significantly more for overheads. We will, however, sustain the effort to achieve full release of the overhead budget.”

The circular explained that budget estimates must take into consideration the policies and strategies contained in the 2026 to 2028 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper, which it described as the Federal Government’s pre-budget statement.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

At least 11 Nigerian soldiers are currently detained in Burkina Faso. The detention occurs within a complex regional context, as Burkina Faso—along with Mali and Niger—has severed ties with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) following military coups in all three nations.

In protest of their ECOWAS suspension, the trio formed a rival alliance known as the Confederation of Sahel States (AES).

Had a recent coup attempt in the neighbouring Republic of Benin succeeded, the AES bloc might have gained a fourth member.

Nigeria had played a key role in foiling the coup before ECOWAS sent its standby force to Benin to assist the government to fully reclaim order.

It is unclear if a Nigerian Air Force aircraft carrying 11 soldiers was part of the standby force or among the troops deployed to crush the insurrection in Benin.

President Bola Tinubu had confirmed deployment of Nigerian troops in Benin.

The development was officially reported by Burkina Faso’s state-run news agency, the Agence d’Information du Burkina (AIB).

In a statement on Monday, the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) claimed that a Nigerian military aircraft carrying 11 soldiers had violated Burkina Faso’s airspace and was consequently forced to land.

The alliance described the incident as a breach of sovereignty, vowing to defend its airspace.

“The Confederation of Sahel States informs the public that a C130 aircraft belonging to the Air Force of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was forced to land today, December 8, 2025, in Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, following an in-flight emergency while operating in Burkinabe airspace. The military aircraft had two (2) crew members and nine (9) passengers on board, all military personnel.”

“An investigation was immediately opened by the competent Burkinabe services and highlighted the lack of authorisation to fly over Burkinabe territory for this military apparatus.

“The Confederation of the Sahel States most strongly condemns this violation of its airspace and the sovereignty of its member states.

“Faced with this unfriendly act carried out in defiance of international law and international civil and/or military aviation rules, arrangements are made to guarantee the security of the Confederal airspace, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its Member States, as well as the safety of the Populations of the Confederation AES.

“In this regard, and on the instructions of the Heads of State, the Arian and anti-aircraft defences of the Confederal space put on maximum alert, in accordance with the Declaration of the College of Heads of State dated December 22, 2024, were authorised to neutralise any aircraft that would violate the confederal space.”

As of now, the Nigerian government has not officially commented on the development.