Eleven Nigerian military personnel have been detained by authorities in Burkina Faso after their aircraft reportedly breached the airspace of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and made an emergency landing in Bobo-Dioulasso, in the country’s southwest.
According to a statement issued by the AES, a Nigerian Air Force C-130 transport aircraft entered Burkinabe airspace without authorization before carrying out an emergency landing earlier today. The confederation warned that any aircraft that violates its airspace would be “neutralized”.
AES officials said an investigation by Burkinabe authorities confirmed the aircraft had no clearance to fly over the country. The bloc described the incident as a serious infringement on the sovereignty of its member states.
“The Confederation of the Sahel States strongly condemns this violation of its airspace and the sovereignty of its member states,” the statement read. It added that the act disregarded international aviation regulations and posed a threat to regional security.
Following the incident, AES leaders have placed air defense and anti-aircraft units on maximum alert, in line with a December 22, 2024 directive. The systems have been authorized to intercept or neutralize any unauthorized aircraft entering the confederation’s airspace.
The detained Nigerian personnel remain in custody as investigations continue.
