Nigerian Military Flight Grounded in Burkina Faso After Alleged Airspace Breach
A military transport aircraft from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) was forced to make an unscheduled landing on December 8, 2025, at Bobo-Dioulasso Airport in Burkina Faso, after reportedly entering the country’s airspace without prior clearance.
What Happened
The aircraft, identified as a C-130 transport plane, was carrying 11 personnel (two crew members and nine passengers, all from the Nigerian military).
According to a statement from the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), made up of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, the aircraft did not have authorisation to fly over Burkina Faso. The landing was thus deemed a breach of sovereignty.
The Sahel bloc described the incident as an “unfriendly act,” in violation of international aviation regulations.
In a strongly worded release, AES, under military leadership, condemned the intrusion. The bloc said it had immediately placed its air and anti-aircraft defenses on “maximum alert,” and stated that any future aircraft found violating its airspace could be “neutralized.”
Status of Crew, Aircraft, and Diplomatic Fallout
The 11 Nigerian personnel remain in detention in Bobo-Dioulasso as investigations proceed.
The aircraft has been seized by Burkinabè authorities.
As of the latest reports, the Nigerian Air Force has not issued an official statement addressing the incident.
Analysts observe that the event could further strain relations between Nigeria and the AES member states, especially in light of recent withdrawals from regional pacts and rising regional tension in the Sahel.