A Nigerian Air Force C-130 transport aircraft made an emergency landing in Burkina Faso on Monday after allegedly entering the country’s airspace without official clearance, authorities in Ouagadougou have confirmed.
The incident was first reported by the Agence d’Information du Burkina (AIB), the state-owned news agency, which released details from a statement issued by the Confederation of Sahel States (AES). According to the statement, the aircraft — carrying 11 military personnel — was intercepted and compelled to land in the city of Bobo-Dioulasso.
Burkina Faso’s investigation revealed that the Nigerian military plane had not obtained the required authorisation to fly over the country. The AES said findings from the probe “highlighted the absence of authorisation to fly over the territory of Burkina Faso for this military aircraft,” describing the situation as a serious breach.
The bloc expressed strong disapproval, condemning the unauthorised entry as a violation of the sovereignty of its member states. “The Confederation of Sahel States condemns with the utmost firmness this violation of its airspace and the sovereignty of its member States,” the statement read.
In response to the incident, the AES announced that its air and anti-aircraft defence systems have been placed on maximum alert. Authorities further warned that security forces have been fully empowered to neutralise any aircraft that violates AES-controlled airspace going forward.
The Nigerian Air Force has not yet publicly issued a statement regarding the emergency landing or the circumstances surrounding the flight’s clearance status.
This development adds a new layer of tension to regional security dynamics as the Sahel faces heightened sensitivities around territorial integrity and military operations.
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