The Confederation of Sahel States (AES) has announced that a Nigerian military aircraft was forced to land in Burkina Faso on Monday, leading to the detention of 11 Nigerian military personnel onboard.
In a statement personally signed by Army General Assimi Goïta on December 8, 2025, President of the Transition in Mali and current President of the AES, the bloc confirmed that the Nigerian Air Force C-130 aircraft made an emergency landing in Bobo-Dioulasso on December 8, 2025, while flying through Burkinabe airspace.
According to the communiqué, the aircraft — carrying two crew members and nine passengers, all Nigerian soldiers — was found to be operating without authorization to fly over Burkina Faso.
General Goïta stated that authorities in Burkina Faso immediately opened an investigation, which established that the aircraft’s overflight had not been approved.
His words: “The Confederation of Sahel States strongly condemns this violation of its airspace and the sovereignty of its member states.”
The AES President described the incident as a “hostile act carried out in disregard of international law and aviation regulations.” He said the confederation had taken measures to safeguard its airspace and ensure the security of its member nations.
Goïta added that, following directives issued by the College of Heads of State on December 22, 2024, the region’s air and anti-air defense systems had been placed on maximum alert.
“They have been authorized to neutralize any aircraft that violates confederal airspace,” he warned.
The AES said the move was necessary to protect its sovereignty, territorial integrity and the safety of its populations.
