Burkina Faso Detains 11 Nigerian Officers, Seizes Air Force Plane. The military government of Burkina Faso has confirmed the detention of 11 Nigerian military personnel and the seizure of a Nigerian Air Force cargo aircraft. The incident occurred after the C-130 plane entered the country’s airspace without prior authorization and made an emergency landing.
In a statement released late Monday, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which includes Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali, announced the aircraft was forced to land on December 8, 2025, in Bobo Dioulasso.
The AES confirmed the plane was carrying two crew members and nine passengers, all identified as Nigerian military officers.
Burkinabe authorities are currently holding the 11 individuals.
The regional bloc strongly condemned the incident, labeling it a serious violation of its airspace and national sovereignty. Authorities have immediately launched an investigation to determine the full circumstances of the unauthorized entry.
In a sharp escalation, the AES has placed the armed forces of its three member states on maximum alert.
Furthermore, the alliance authorized its air defense and anti-aircraft systems to neutralize any aircraft that violates its airspace going forward.
The AES described the unauthorized landing as an unfriendly act and a breach of international aviation laws, emphasizing that strict measures are now in place to safeguard the confederation’s territorial integrity and civilian population.
