Nigerian Military Personnel Detained in Burkina Faso over Airspace Violation
Eleven Nigerian military officers are being held in Burkina Faso after their Air Force C-130 aircraft made a forced landing due to technical issues. The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) claims the flight was unauthorized, sparking tensions between Nigeria and the AES member states.
Daberechi 
11 Nigerian Military Officers are being held, after their Air-Force, C-130 made a forced landing in Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso on Monday, 8th December, 2025. The Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a Military-led association made up of, Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, jointly released a statement that the Nigerian Military had not been authorized to fly over Burkina Faso. Upon further investigation, Burkanabe Authorities confirmed that the plane had two crew members and nine passengers, all military personnel with no prior permission for flight over their territory.
The three states, previously part of the ECOWAS until January 2025, have battled long-running jihadist insurgencies, insecurity and matters of terrorism. Separating from the council for lack of support against escalating terrorism, imposing swift sanctions, perceived influence by former colonial powers, economic disputes and deepening mistrust among other things. As a result, they came together to form the AES in September 2023, ruling a 5000-strong joint force to supervise counter-terrorism efforts independently. These nations strictly under military rule, have collectively maintained less than cordial relations with neighbouring countries.
The AES described the alleged airspace intrusion as an ‘unfriendly act’ and a breach in the sovereignty of the state. They stated that their respective air forces would be on maximum alert, ready to ‘neutralize’ any foreign aircraft found violating their airspace’. This has further heightened the already existing tensions between the trio and other West African states. In the released publication, there was no mention of the situation or location of the 11 Nigerian Military Officers that are currently detained.
As of December 9, 2025, Nigerian Citizens are in uproar as no official statement has been released by the Nigerian Air Defence Authority or the Federal administration. The situation of the military officers remain undisclosed.
