Nigerian military aircraft detained in Burkina Faso after airspace breach, AES confirms. Status of crew remains undisclosed

The Alliance of Sahel States (AES), comprising Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, has confirmed the forced landing of a Nigerian Air Force C-130 Hercules transport aircraft in Burkina Faso after it entered the country’s airspace without authorisation.

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In a joint statement released on Monday, the AES said the aircraft, carrying 11 Nigerian military personnel, was intercepted and diverted to Bobo-Dioulasso Airport following what was described as an “in-flight emergency.”

The statement noted that the aircraft had not obtained the required overflight permission, constituting a violation of Burkina Faso’s sovereignty.

“The Nigerian aircraft entered Burkinabe airspace without prior clearance. This is a clear breach of international protocols and national sovereignty,” the statement read.

The AES did not provide details on the current status or location of the 11 personnel aboard the transport plane.

As of the filing of this report, neither the Nigerian Air Force nor the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued an official statement regarding the incident.

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The development raises questions about regional military coordination and adherence to aviation protocols within the Sahel, particularly amid heightened security operations and cross-border military activities.