BREAKING: Burkina Faso Arrests 11 Nigerian Soldiers, Seizes Air Force Aircraft

Burkina Faso’s military government has detained 11 Nigerian soldiers after intercepting a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft that allegedly entered the country’s airspace without authorization.

The aircraft, which was forced to land on Monday in Bobo Dioulasso, was seized following what authorities described as an “in-flight emergency.” The announcement was made in a statement issued on behalf of the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) by junta leader Assimi Goïta.

According to Burkinabe security officials, investigations revealed that the NAF aircraft did not obtain clearance to enter or fly over Burkina Faso.

“An investigation… highlighted the lack of authorisation to fly over Burkinabe territory for this military apparatus,” the statement said.

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AES Condemns Airspace Violation

The AES — comprising Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger — condemned the incident as a serious violation of national sovereignty and international aviation protocols.

Goïta stated that the confederation has placed its joint air defence systems on maximum alert, warning that any future unauthorized aircraft could be neutralized.

“The air and anti-aircraft defences… were authorised to neutralise any aircraft that would violate the confederal space,” the statement warned.

The detained Nigerian soldiers remain in custody as diplomatic channels work behind the scenes to resolve the situation.

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Possible Link to Benin Republic Coup Fallout

The development comes less than 24 hours after Nigeria deployed fighter jets to Benin Republic to help suppress a failed coup attempt in Cotonou.

Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga confirmed that President Bola Tinubu approved Nigerian air support at the request of Beninese authorities. Nigerian jets reportedly carried out surveillance operations and targeted escape routes used by mutinous soldiers.

It is still unclear whether the aircraft intercepted in Burkina Faso was connected to the Benin security operation or was on a separate mission.

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Rising Tension Between ECOWAS and AES

The arrest of the Nigerian soldiers further deepens tensions between the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the AES military bloc.

Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger withdrew from ECOWAS earlier this year following disagreements over sanctions imposed after a series of coups. Since then, the AES has taken a more assertive military and diplomatic posture.

The latest incident risks escalating an already fragile relationship, especially after ECOWAS activated its standby force to support Benin following the attempted coup.

As at press time, the Federal Government of Nigeria has not issued an official statement regarding the detention of the 11 soldiers or the seizure of the aircraft.

Eleven Nigerian military personnel are currently being held by the Burkinabe military regime in Bobo-Dioulasso, southwest Burkina Faso, after their aircraft conducted an emergency landing while "violating AES airspace". https://t.co/8hnvWDOc9r pic.twitter.com/B2AgJ9yivV

— Brant (@BrantPhilip_) December 8, 2025

Read also: Benin Coup Attempt: Why Rebel Soldiers Failed and How ECOWAS Responded Immediately

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