Burkina Faso Detains 11 Nigerian Military Officers, Seizes Air Force C-130 After ‘Unauthorised’ Airspace Entry

Burkina Faso’s regime has effectively detained eleven Nigerian military officers and seized a Nigerian Air Force C-130 transport aircraft after it made an emergency landing in Bobo Dioulasso on Monday, allegedly without clearance to enter the country’s airspace.

The incident, which has raised fresh tensions between Abuja and the military regimes in the Sahel, was disclosed in a late-night statement issued by the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) — the confederation formed by Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali after cutting ties with ECOWAS. 

According to the AES, the Nigerian Air Force aircraft was intercepted after it was operating in Burkinabe airspace and forced to land following what authorities described as an in-flight emergency situation.

“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 of Sahel States (AES) said in a statement late Monday. 

Burkinabe authorities said the aircraft was carrying two crew members and nine military passengers — all personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces — who were immediately taken into custody. 

“The military aircraft had on board two (02) crew members and nine (09) passengers, all military personnel,” the AES confirmed. 

“The individuals were later identified as members of the Nigerian armed forces and are currently being detained.” 

The junta accused Nigeria of violating its sovereignty and announced that a full investigation has been launched 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.” 

In a move signalling heightened regional tension, the AES said its three member states have placed their air-defence and military systems on maximum alert, warning that any future violation of Sahelian airspace could be met with force. 

“Air defense and anti-aircraft systems of the confederal space have been placed on maximum alert, in accordance with the Declaration of the College of Heads of State dated 22 December 2024, and have been authorized to neutralize any aircraft that violates the confederal airspace.

As of press time, Nigerian authorities have not issued an official response to the detention of its personnel or the seizure of its aircraft.

The development comes amid strained relations between Nigeria and the breakaway Sahel bloc, which has repeatedly accused ECOWAS member states of “hostile actions” since their military leaders announced an exit from the regional body in January.