At least eleven Nigerian soldiers have been detained by the military regime in Burkina Faso after their aircraft reportedly made an emergency landing in Bobo-Dioulasso while allegedly violating the country’s airspace.
The junta confirmed the arrest in a statement issued under the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and circulated late Monday on X by a security analyst, Brant Grant.
The soldiers were aboard a Nigerian Air Force C-130 aircraft that the AES claims “illegally entered” its controlled territory.
According to the statement, the aircraft “violated AES airspace and was compelled to land in Bobo-Dioulasso,” after which the Nigerian military personnel onboard were taken into custody.
“The AES warns that any aircraft entering its airspace without authorization will be immediately neutralised,” the regime declared, in what observers interpret as an escalation of tensions between West African states and the Sahelian military bloc.
The arrest comes barely 24 hours after the Nigerian government deployed military aircraft to the Republic of Benin following a failed coup attempt in the neighbouring country.
Although it remains unclear whether the detained personnel were involved in any regional security operation, the AES insisted the flight had “no approved clearance.”
Security analysts say the development raises fresh concerns about the deteriorating relationship between West African democracies and the coup-born governments in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger , the three nations that make up the AES.
Defence authorities in Nigeria have not yet issued an official response as of press time, but top security sources were quoted to have said that Abuja is “engaging through diplomatic channels” to clarify the circumstances surrounding the detention and secure the release of its personnel.
The AES statement, however, suggests the junta may be taking a hard stance, particularly following its withdrawal from ECOWAS and growing confrontations with neighbouring states.
More details are expected as Nigeria intensifies diplomatic efforts to resolve the impasse.
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