Burkina Faso has accused the Nigerian Air Force of violating its airspace. A Nigerian Air Force C-130 aircraft made an emergency landing in Burkina Faso on Monday without prior authorisation. Eleven Nigerian military officers on board, including two crew members and nine passengers, were briefly detained, according to Burkinabè security sources and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). The Burkinabè Territorial Administration Minister Emile Zerbo confirmed the unauthorised entry. The AES, comprising Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, called this landing an “unfriendly act.” They put their air forces on high alert, authorising them to "neutralise any aircraft" violating their airspace. Nigeria said the landing was due to a technical problem while the plane was en route to Portugal. The Nigerian Air Force stated the crew was safe and received good treatment. Burkina Faso later released the detained officers and allowed them to return to Nigeria. This incident adds to existing tensions as Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger recently withdrew from ECOWAS and rejected its demands to restore democracy. The Sahel countries have also distanced themselves from Western powers, strengthening ties with Russia. This event comes shortly after Nigeria deployed troops and jets to Benin to suppress a coup attempt, linking regional security concerns.