Nigeria, Dec. 9 -- The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has stated that its aircraft that landed in Burkina Faso Monday night did so for safety reasons and "in accordance with standard safety procedures and international aviation protocols."

In a Tuesday statement by its spokesperson, Ehimen Ejodame, the air force said the crew of the NAF C-130 aircraft "observed a technical concern which necessitated a precautionary landing in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, the nearest airfield."

PREMIUM TIMES reports that Burkina Faso and its two allies in the AES had accused the Nigerian aircraft of violating Burkina Faso's airspace. There were also online claims that the Nigerian crew in the aircraft had been arrested.

However, Mr Ejodame, an air commodore,...