Burkina Faso says military aircraft carrying 11 Nigerian soldiers violated its airspace

The government of Burkina Faso says an aircraft carrying 11 Nigerian soldiers has violated its airspace.

In a statement signed by Assimi Goita, the junta leader, the Burkinabe government said an aircraft belonging to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) was forced to land on Monday in Bobo Dioulasso, following an “emergency situation in flight” while it was operating in the country’s airspace.

“An investigation was immediately opened by the competent Burkinabe services and highlighted the lack of authorisation to fly over Burkinabe territory for this military apparatus,” the statement reads.

“The Confederation of the Sahel States most strongly condemns this violation of its airspace and the sovereignty of its member states.

“Faced with this unfriendly act carried out in defiance of international law and international civil and/or military aviation rules, arrangements are made to guarantee 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 Confederation AES.

“In this regard, and on the instructions of the Heads of State, the Arian and anti-aircraft defences of the Confederal space put on maximum alert, in accordance with the Declaration of the College of Heads of State dated December 22, 2024, were authorised to neutralise any aircraft that would violate the confederal space.”

On Sunday, NAF carried out air strikes on fleeing plotters of a failed coup in Benin Republic.

Bayo Onanuga, presidential spokesperson, said President Bola Tinubu acted on requests from Benin authorities.

According to Onanuga, Benin Republic also requested the support of Nigerian ground troops.

Reports had said the air strikes, carried out for over 30 minutes, involved multiple coordinated bombardments by Nigerian fighter jets operating within Beninese airspace.

Onanuga noted that a separate request from Benin authorities wanted NAF assets within Beninoise airspace for “surveillance and rapid intervention operations” under Benin-led coordination.

It is unclear if the mission stretched to Burkina Faso, which lies northwest of Benin Republic.

Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger Republic formally exited the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) this January following military coups and subsequent suspensions from the bloc.

The trio later formed the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) after efforts by regional officials to reintegrate the nations into ECOWAS proved unsuccessful.

Following Benin’s foiled coup, the ECOWAS commission ordered the deployment of elements of its standby force to the West African nation after consultations with heads of state and government.

According to reports, Burkinabe authorities have detained the 11 Nigerian soldiers.

Goita said the AES has taken measures to preserve its territorial integrity.