By Emmanuel Nduka Obisue
Burkina Faso’s military authorities have detained 11 Nigerian military personnel and seized a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) C-130 transport aircraft after it made an emergency landing in the country without authorisation.
In a statement issued late Monday, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) comprising Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali, said the aircraft was forced to land in Bobo Dioulasso on December 8 after experiencing an in-flight emergency while already operating in Burkinabe airspace.
“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 statement read.
The AES said the aircraft had two crew members and nine passengers on board, all serving members of the Nigerian Armed Forces. The personnel were taken into custody after authorities established that the aircraft did not have permission to enter or fly over Burkina Faso.
“An investigation was immediately opened by the competent Burkinabe authorities and revealed the absence of authorization for the aircraft to fly over Burkinabe territory,” the statement added.
The Sahel alliance condemned what it described as a violation of its airspace and sovereignty, warning that its members had placed their military forces on maximum alert in response to the incident.
“Faced with this unfriendly act carried out in disregard of international law and international civil and/or military aviation regulations, measures have been taken to guarantee the security of the confederal airspace, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its member states,” the AES said.
It further noted that, under instructions from the Heads of State, air defence and anti-aircraft systems within the confederation had been placed on high alert and authorised to neutralise any aircraft that violates their airspace.
The Nigerian authorities had not yet issued a public response to the detention as of the time of the report.
