11 Nigerian Troops detained in Burkina Faso for AES Airspace Breach

By Micheal Chukwuebuka

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”.

The AES claims a Nigerian Air Force C-130 aircraft violated Burkinabe airspace and conducted an emergency landing in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso today, the statement says that any unauthorized aircraft violating AES airspace will be neutralized.

The AES said, “An investigation was immediately opened by the competent Burkinabe authorities and revealed the absence of authorization for the aircraft to fly over Burkinabe territory. The Confederation of the Sahel States strongly condemns this violation of its airspace and the sovereignty of its member states.

“Faced with this unfriendly act carried out in disregard of international law and international civil and/or military aviation regulations, measures have been taken to guarantee the security of the Confederate 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 upon the instruction of the Heads of State, air defense and anti-aircraft systems of the Confederate space have been placed on maximum alert, in accordance with the Declaration of the College of Heads of State dated 22 December 2024, and have been authorized to neutralize any aircraft that violates the Confederate airspace.”