The Alliance for Sahel States (AES) has explained why it detained 11 Nigerian military officers and impounded a Nigerian Air Force aircraft in Burkina Faso, accusing Nigeria of entering its airspace without authorization.
AES — the regional bloc formed by Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger after their withdrawal from ECOWAS — said the Nigerian C-130 aircraft violated Burkinabe airspace before it was compelled to land and its crew taken into custody.
Reports earlier indicated that the Burkinabe authorities held a Nigerian Air Force C-130 transport plane carrying 11 personnel after it made an emergency landing in the city of Bobo Dioulasso.
Officials in Burkina Faso said the aircraft was identified as a NAF C-130 and that preliminary checks showed it lacked proper clearance to fly over the country, leading to the detention of those onboard.
In a statement issued by Mali’s military ruler, Assimi Goita, on behalf of AES, the alliance confirmed that the aircraft was forced to land due to an “in-flight emergency” but stressed that investigations revealed it did not have permission to operate within Burkinabe airspace.
“The investigation carried out by the relevant Burkinabe services confirmed that the aircraft had no authorisation to fly over the territory,” the statement noted.
AES condemned the action as a serious violation of its airspace and sovereignty, describing it as an unfriendly act contrary to international aviation standards.
The statement added that, on the orders of member state leaders, air and anti-aircraft defenses across the confederal territory have been placed on maximum alert, with instructions to neutralize any aircraft that enters AES airspace without approval — in line with a previous declaration issued on December 22, 2024.
This development comes shortly after the Nigerian Air Force conducted air operations against fleeing coup plotters in the Benin Republic on Sunday. According to presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, President Bola Tinubu approved the mission based on a request from Beninese authorities.
Whether the mission had any connection to Burkina Faso remains uncertain.
Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger formally exited ECOWAS in January after a series of coups and disagreements with the regional body. Their attempt at reconciliation with ECOWAS failed, prompting the formation of the AES bloc.
Following the failed coup in Benin, ECOWAS ordered the deployment of its standby force to the country after consultations with regional leaders.
Did AES react too aggressively, or did Nigeria indeed cross a dangerous boundary?
