Burkina Faso Detains 11 Nigerian Military Officers, Seizes Air Force Aircraft for Crossing into Country

• Burkina Faso’s junta says it has detained “eleven Nigerian military officers” after a Nigerian Air Force C130 aircraft made an emergency landing in Bobo Dioulasso without prior clearanc.

Burkina Faso’s military government has announced that it detained 11 Nigerian military personnel and seized a cargo aircraft belonging to the Nigerian Air Force after the plane entered Burkinabe airspace without authorisation.

According to a statement released late Monday, “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 junta said the aircraft carried two crew members and nine passengers, all confirmed to be members of the Nigerian armed forces.

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

The AES — comprising Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali — condemned the unauthorised flight, saying its forces had been placed on high alert.

The regional alliance said an investigation uncovered “the absence of authorization for the aircraft to fly over Burkinabe territory”, warning that it considered the incident a breach of sovereignty.

The statement continued: “Faced with this unfriendly act carried out in disregard of international law and international civil and/or military aviation regulations, measures have been taken to guarantee the security of the confederal airspace, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its member states…”

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According to the alliance, air defence systems have now been placed on maximum alert:

“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.”

Further details on the ongoing investigation and diplomatic responses are expected.