The Government of Burkina Faso has confirmed that a Nigerian Air Force C-130 aircraft carrying 11 military personnel was forced to land on Monday after allegedly entering the country’s airspace without authorisation.
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The incident was reported by the Agence d’Information du Burkina (AIB), the state-run news agency, which published a statement from the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) detailing the circumstances surrounding the interception.
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 crew members and nine passengers on board, all military personnel.”
The AES noted that an investigation by Burkinabe authorities found that the aircraft did not obtain the required clearance to fly over the country.
The probe “highlighted the absence of authorisation to fly over the territory of Burkina Faso for this military device,” the statement said.
The regional bloc condemned the incident, describing it as a breach of the sovereignty of its member states. It stated that it “condemns with the utmost firmness this violation of its airspace and the sovereignty of its member States.”
The AES further warned that its air and anti-aircraft defence systems had been placed on maximum alert and authorised to neutralise any aircraft that violates AES-controlled airspace.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian Air Force and the Federal Government have not issued any official response regarding the forced landing.
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