At least eleven Nigerian soldiers are reportedly being held by Burkina Faso’s military authorities after their aircraft made an emergency landing in Bobo-Dioulasso, in the country’s southwest region.
According to a statement released by the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and shared on X by security analyst Brant Grant on Monday night, a Nigerian Air Force C-130 transport aircraft allegedly “violated AES airspace” before landing unexpectedly on Burkinabe territory.
The AES insisted the aircraft had no authorization to enter the restricted zone and warned that any future intrusion by foreign military aircraft would be “neutralized” without hesitation.
The incident unfolded barely 24 hours after Nigeria deployed military aircraft to Benin Republic, following an attempted coup in the neighbouring country — a development that has heightened regional security tensions.
Authorities in Abuja have yet to issue an official response regarding the detained personnel or the circumstances that led to the emergency landing.
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