A Nigerian Air Force war jet was yesterday, Monday, December 8, 2025, forced to land in Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, whereupon the military officers on board were detained for allegedly operating illegally in Burkinabe airspace.

This was disclosed in a communique released late yesterday by the Confederation of the States of the Sahel (AES).

Signed by General of the Army Assimi GOÏTA, President of the Transition Head of State of the Republic of Mali, who doubles as AES President, the communique announced the detention of the 11 Nigerian military officers on board the aircraft.

Entitled, “COMMUNIQUÉ OF THE CONFEDERATION OF THE STATES OF THE SAHEL (AES) REGARDING THE VIOLATION OF THE CONFEDERAL AIRSPACE”, the communique reads in full:

“The Confederation of the States of the Sahel informs the public that an aircraft belonging to the Air Force of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a C-130, was forced to land today, 8 December 2025, in Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, following an in-flight emergency while it was operating in Burkinabe airspace.

“The military aircraft had on board two (02) crew members and nine (09) passengers, all of them military personnel.

“An investigation was immediately opened by the competent Burkinabe authorities, which confirmed that this military aircraft had no authorization to fly over Burkinabe territory.

“The Confederation of the States of the Sahel firmly condemns this violation of its airspace and of the sovereignty of its Member States.

“In the face of this unfriendly act carried out in disregard of international law and international civil and/or military aviation rules, measures have been taken to ensure the security of the confederal airspace, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its Member States, as well as the safety of the populations of the AES Confederation.

“In this regard, and following instructions from the Heads of State, the air and anti-air defenses of the confederal space have been placed on maximum alert. In accordance with the Declaration of the College of Heads of State dated 22 December 2024, they have been authorized to neutralize any aircraft that violates confederal airspace.

“Done in Bamako, 08 December 2025

“General of the Army Assimi GOÏTA

“President of the Transition

“Head of State of the Republic of Mali

“President of the Confederation of the States of the Sahel (AES)”.

Update news