Burkina Faso Accuses Nigeria Of Airspace Violation, Grounds Aircraft

By: Aremu Toyeebaht

Burkina Faso’s military authorities have accused the Nigerian Air Force of violating the country’s airspace after a C130 aircraft carrying 11 military personnel made an emergency landing in Bobo Dioulasso on Monday.

The incident was disclosed by the Agence d’Information du Burkina, which published an official statement from the Confederation of Sahel States (AES).

According to the translated statement, “The Confederation of Sahel States informs the public that a C130 aircraft belonging to the Air Force of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was forced to land today, December 8, 2025, in Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, following an in-flight emergency while operating in Burkinabe airspace. The military aircraft had two (2) crew members and nine (9) passengers on board, all military personnel.”

Burkinabe investigators later reported that the aircraft entered the country’s airspace without authorisation. The AES criticised the incident, saying it “condemns with the utmost firmness this violation of its airspace and the sovereignty of its member States.”

The bloc also warned that its air and anti-aircraft defence systems had been placed on high alert, adding they were “authorised to neutralise any aircraft that would violate the Confederate space.”

No injuries were reported, and officials from both countries are expected to address the diplomatic implications of the incident.