Burkina Faso detains Nigerian military officers, seizes aircraft

Burkina Faso’s ruling junta has detained eleven Nigerian military personnel and seized a Nigerian Air Force C-130 transport aircraft after it made an emergency landing in Bobo Dioulasso on Monday, reportedly without clearance to enter Burkinabe airspace.

The incident, which has escalated tensions between Abuja and the Sahel military regimes, was confirmed in a late-night statement by the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) — the bloc comprising Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali after their withdrawal from ECOWAS.

According to the AES, the Nigerian aircraft was intercepted while operating in Burkinabe airspace and forced to land following 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 statement read.

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Burkinabe authorities said the aircraft carried two crew members and nine military passengers, all members 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 individuals were later identified as members of the Nigerian armed forces and are currently being detained,” the AES confirmed.

The junta accused Nigeria of violating its sovereignty and announced a full investigation 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 AES said.

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Signalling heightened regional tension, the AES warned that its member states have placed air-defence and military systems on maximum alert, stating 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,” the statement added.

As of press time, Nigerian authorities have yet to issue an official response regarding the detention of its personnel or the seizure of the 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 their exit from the regional organisation in January.