The Nigerian government has launched an investigation into the detention of a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) C-130 aircraft and its 11 personnel in Burkina Faso, following accusations of unauthorized airspace entry on December 8, 2025. The plane, carrying two crew and nine military passengers, made an emergency landing in Bobo Dioulasso amid what NAF described as a technical issue, but the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) comprising Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger labeled it a sovereignty violation and placed regional defenses on high alert.
AES authorities forced the aircraft down after it allegedly operated without clearance, condemning the incident as an "unfriendly act" and vowing to neutralize future breaches per a prior heads-of-state declaration. NAF countered that the landing was precautionary, with arrangements nearly complete for departure before a last-minute counter-order from Burkina Faso halted release. The Federal Government confirmed ongoing diplomatic efforts to secure the crew and plane's swift return.
Tensions underscore frayed ties since the AES nations exited ECOWAS in January 2025, citing sanctions and anti-terrorism support failures. Nigerian officials urged calm, emphasizing routine flight protocols while AES heightened airspace vigilance across the Sahel bloc.