11 Nigerian Soldiers Detained For Violating 'Burkina Faso Airspace'

COMMUNIQUE FROM THE CONFEDERATION OF SAHEL STATES (AES) REGARDING THE VIOLATION OF CONFEDERAL AIRSPACE

The Confederation of Sahel States informs the public that an aircraft belonging to the Air Force of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, of type C130, was forced to land today, December 8, 2025, in Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, following an in-flight emergency, while it was operating in Burkinabe airspace. The military aircraft had on board two (02) crew members and nine (09) passengers, all military personnel. An investigation was immediately opened by the relevant Burkinabe authorities, revealing that this military aircraft did not have authorization to fly over Burkinabe territory. The Confederation of Sahel States strongly condemns this violation of its airspace and the sovereignty of its member states.

In response to this hostile act carried out in disregard of international law and the international civil and/or military aviation regulations, measures have been taken to ensure the safety of the confederal airspace, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its member states, as well as the safety of the populations of the AES Confederation. In this regard, and under the instructions of the Heads of State, the air and anti-air defenses of the confederal airspace, placed on maximum alert in accordance with the Declaration of the College of Heads of State dated December 22, 2024, have been authorized to neutralize any aircraft that violates confederal airspace.

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