Burkina Faso’s military government has announced the detention of 11 Nigerian military personnel along with the seizure of a Nigerian Air Force C-130 aircraft, following what it described as an unauthorized entry into the airspace of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).

In a statement released late Monday, the AES — a bloc comprising Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger — said the Nigerian aircraft conducted an emergency landing in Bobo-Dioulasso on December 8, 2025, without prior authorization.

According to the statement, Burkinabe authorities launched an immediate investigation, which allegedly confirmed that the C-130 had no clearance to enter or fly over the country.

“The Confederation of the Sahel States strongly condemns this violation of its airspace and the sovereignty of its member states,” the statement said.

It further described the incident as an “unfriendly act” carried out in disregard of international aviation rules, prompting the bloc to take measures to safeguard its airspace and territorial integrity.

The AES added that air defense systems across its member states have now been placed on maximum alert and authorized to neutralize any aircraft that violates confederation airspace.

“In line with the instruction of the Heads of State, air defense and anti-aircraft systems have been activated at the highest level and are authorized to neutralize any aircraft that breaches the confederal airspace,” the bloc said.

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