Burkina Faso detains 11 Nigerian military officers, seizes NAF aircraft over alleged airspace violation

Burkina Faso’s military government has announced the detention of 11 Nigerian military personnel and the seizure of a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) C-130 transport aircraft after what it described as an unauthorised entry into Burkinabe airspace. The aircraft was said to have made an emergency landing in Bobo-Dioulasso on December 8, 2025.

The development was disclosed late Monday in a statement by the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a regional military bloc comprising Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali. According to the AES, the aircraft flew across Burkinabe territory without prior clearance before reporting an in-flight emergency that forced it to land.

The statement noted that the plane was carrying two crew members and nine passengers, all later identified as serving members of the Nigerian Armed Forces. The personnel were taken into custody while authorities began formal investigations to determine the motive behind the unauthorised entry.

The AES condemned the incident as a violation of its sovereignty and said the situation prompted the three-member confederation to heighten surveillance and activate pre-established security protocols. It also confirmed that its security and intelligence units are currently handling the matter.

It added that preliminary investigations revealed that the aircraft had no overflight approval from Burkinabe authorities, describing the act as a breach of international aviation and territorial regulations. The alliance stressed that it would respond firmly to any future attempts to violate its airspace.

“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 Confederation of the Sahel States strongly condemns this violation of its airspace and the sovereignty of its member states,” the AES stated.

“In this regard, and upon the instruction of the Heads of State, air defense and anti-aircraft systems of the confederal space have been placed on maximum alert and have been authorized to neutralize any aircraft that violates the confederal airspace,” it added.

The AES further emphasised that its armed forces have been placed on high alert to counter external threats and safeguard the region from what it described as unfriendly acts. The Nigerian government had yet to issue an official response as of the time of filing this report.