Burkina Faso detains Nigerian military aircraft over alleged airspace violation

Burkina Faso officials have grounded a Nigerian Air Force C-130 military aircraft after it reportedly entered the nation's airspace without proper clearance.

This incident, which took place on Monday in Bobo-Dioulasso, has raised renewed diplomatic concerns within the Sahel region.

As reported by Agence d’Information du Burkina, the aircraft was transporting 11 Nigerian military personnel — including two crew members and nine passengers — when it allegedly made an emergency landing.

Officials from the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) revealed that initial investigations suggested the aircraft did not have authorization to traverse Burkina Faso’s airspace.

The authorities characterized this event as a breach of national sovereignty and expressed significant displeasure regarding the unauthorized entry.

The regional organization also announced that its air defense and anti-aircraft systems have been placed on high alert, cautioning that any future violations would result in a decisive military response.

At the time of this report, neither the Nigerian Air Force nor the Federal Government of Nigeria had released an official statement concerning the incident.