Eleven Nigerian military personnel are currently being held by Burkina Faso’s military authorities after their aircraft made an unexpected emergency landing in Bobo-Dioulasso, southwestern Burkina Faso. The incident has sparked fresh diplomatic tension in the region, with the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) accusing Nigeria of violating its sovereign airspace.
In a statement issued late Monday, the AES claimed that a Nigerian Air Force C-130 aircraft entered Burkinabe airspace without authorization on December 8, 2025, before carrying out an emergency landing inside the country. The soldiers onboard were immediately detained by the Burkinabe military regime.
According to the confederation, a quick investigation by Burkinabe authorities confirmed that the aircraft did not obtain the necessary clearance to fly over or land within Burkina Faso. The AES described this as a serious breach, stating:
“The Confederation of the Sahel States strongly condemns this violation of its airspace and the sovereignty of its member states.”
The statement went further, calling the incident an “unfriendly act” carried out in disregard of international aviation laws and protocols for military and civil aircraft.
In response, the AES announced that several defensive measures have now been activated to protect the airspace of its member nations. Leaders of the confederation ordered that all air-defense and anti-aircraft systems across the region be placed on maximum alert, referencing a previous directive issued in December 2024.
The confederation also revealed a significant escalation: these defense systems have now been authorized to neutralize any aircraft that violates AES airspace, military or otherwise.
For now, the eleven detained Nigerian personnel remain in custody as regional officials await further diplomatic engagement between Nigeria and the Sahel alliance.
