Burkina Faso detains 11 Nigerian soldiers, impounds Air Force C-130 over alleged airspace breach 

Burkina Faso’s military-led government has confirmed the detention of 11 Nigerian military personnel and the seizure of a Nigerian Air Force C-130 cargo aircraft following what it described as an unauthorised entry into its airspace.

In a statement issued late Monday, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) made up of Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali said the Nigerian Air Force aircraft violated Burkinabe airspace and made an emergency landing in Bobo-Dioulasso on December 8, 2025.

According to the AES, investigations by Burkinabe authorities showed that the aircraft did not obtain clearance to fly over Burkina Faso’s territory. The regional bloc said it strongly condemns what it described as a breach of its airspace and the sovereignty of its member states.

The statement added that the incident was considered an “unfriendly act” carried out in disregard of international law and both civil and military aviation regulations.

“Faced with this unfriendly act, measures have been taken to ensure the security of the confederal airspace, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of member states, as well as the safety of populations within the AES Confederation,” the bloc said.

The AES further announced that air defence and anti-aircraft systems across the confederation have been placed on maximum alert, with authorization to neutralise any aircraft found violating its airspace.

This directive, the statement noted, was issued following instructions from the Heads of State and in line with a declaration by the College of Heads of State dated December 22, 2024.