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Burkina Faso Arrests 11 Nigerian Officers, Confiscates Air Force C-130 for Alleged Airspace Breach
Burkina Faso Arrests 11 Nigerian Officers, Confiscates Air Force C-130 for Alleged Airspace Breach—-Burkina Faso’s ruling junta has detained eleven Nigerian military officers and impounded a Nigerian Air Force C-130 transport aircraft after it reportedly made an emergency landing in Bobo Dioulasso on Monday without prior authorization to enter the country’s airspace.
The development — which has renewed tensions between Abuja and the military-led governments in the Sahel — was announced late Monday in a statement released by the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), the bloc formed by Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali after their break from ECOWAS.
According to the AES, the Nigerian Air Force aircraft was intercepted while flying in Burkinabe airspace and compelled to land due to what authorities described as an in-flight emergency.
“The Confederation of the Sahel States informs the public that an aircraft belonging to the Air Force of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a C130 type, was forced to land today, 8 December 2025, in Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, following an in-flight emergency situation, while it was operating in Burkinabe airspace,” the Alliance said in its late-night statement.
Burkinabe authorities stated that the aircraft was carrying two crew members and nine military passengers — all personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces — who were immediately taken into custody upon landing.
“The military aircraft had on board two (02) crew members and nine (09) passengers, all military personnel,” the AES confirmed, adding that the individuals “were later identified as members of the Nigerian armed forces and are currently being detained.”
The junta accused Nigeria of breaching its sovereignty and said a full investigation is underway to determine why the aircraft allegedly entered Burkinabe airspace without authorisation.
“An investigation was immediately opened by the competent Burkinabe authorities and revealed the absence of authorisation for the aircraft to fly over Burkinabe territory. The Confederation of the Sahel States strongly condemns this violation of its airspace and the sovereignty of its member states,” the statement read.
Signalling rising regional tensions, the AES announced that its three member countries have placed their air-defence and military systems on maximum alert, warning that any future incursion into Sahelian airspace could prompt a forceful response.
“Air-defense and anti-aircraft systems across the confederation have been placed on maximum alert, in line with the Declaration of the College of Heads of State dated 22 December 2024, and have been authorised to neutralize any aircraft that violates confederal airspace.”
As of the time of reporting, Nigerian authorities have not released an official statement regarding the detention of their personnel or the impoundment of the aircraft.
This incident unfolds against the backdrop of worsening relations between Nigeria and the breakaway Sahel alliance, which has repeatedly accused ECOWAS member states of engaging in “hostile actions” since the bloc’s military rulers announced their withdrawal from the regional organisation in January.
