Authorities in Burkina Faso say a military aircraft belonging to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) was forced to land Monday after reportedly violating Burkinabe airspace while carrying 11 Nigerian soldiers. The aircraft identified as a C-130 had two crew members and nine passengers on board, all military personnel.
The forced landing took place in Bobo-Dioulasso. In an official statement, the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) of which Burkina Faso is a member confirmed that the flight lacked authorization to overfly Burkinabe territory. The AES strongly condemned the incident as a violation of the sovereignty of its member states.
According to the communiqué, the air and anti-aircraft defence systems of the confederation have been placed on maximum alert. The AES warned that any future unauthorized aircraft could be “neutralised” if they attempt to enter its airspace without permission.
As of now, there has been no official public response from the Nigerian government or the NAF regarding the incident. The detention of the 11 military personnel aboard stands as the latest flashpoint in relations between Nigeria and its regional neighbours especially in the wake of recent regional instability and cross-border security tensions.
The development further complicates the geopolitical environment in West Africa at a time when military and political alliances are under strain. Observers warn that this incident may deepen mistrust among Sahel states and Nigeria, and could disrupt regional cooperation on security and counter-terrorism efforts.