The Confederation of Sahel States has announced the impounding of an aircraft belonging to the Nigerian Air Force in Burkina Faso over airspace violation.
The President of the Confederation of Sahel States, General Assimi Goïta, made the disclosure in a statement issued in Bamako, Mali.
Goïta, who doubles as the President of Mali, said: “The Confederation of Sahel States informs the public that an aircraft belonging to the Air Force of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, type C130, was forced to land today, December 8, 2025, 4 Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, following an emergency situation in flight while operating in Burkina Faso airspace.
“The military aircraft had on board two (02) crew members and nine (09) passengers, all military.”
Goïta also said an investigation was immediately opened by the relevant Burkinabe services and revealed that the military aircraft lacked authorisation to fly over Burkina Faso.
He further said the Confederation of Sahel States strongly condemned the violation of its airspace and the sovereignty of its member states.
“Faced with this unfriendly act, which was carried out in disregard of international law and international rules on civil and/or military aviation, measures were taken to guarantee the security of the confederal airspace, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its member states, and the safety of the populations of the AES Confederation.
“In this regard, and on instructions from the Heads of State, the air and air defences in the Confederal area put on high alert, in accordance with the Declaration of the College of Heads of State of 22 December 2024, were authorised to neutralise any aircraft which violated the confederal area,” Goïta further said.
