Sahel Alliance Warns Nigeria: Unauthorized Aircraft Will Be “Neutralised” Amid Regional Tensions
The emergency landing of a Nigerian military plane in western Burkina Faso has reignited tensions between Abuja and the Alliance of Sahel States, or AES.
The Sahel Alliance a military bloc comprising Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso has issued a strong warning to Nigeria, stating that any unauthorized aircraft entering its airspace will be “neutralised” as regional security tensions continue to rise. The statement, released Tuesday, marks one of the sharpest messages yet from the alliance since it withdrew from ECOWAS earlier this year and strengthened military cooperation.
According to the Alliance’s communiqué, the warning comes after what it described as “multiple violations” of its airspace by foreign aircraft, including flights allegedly linked to Nigeria. The bloc accused neighbouring countries of conducting surveillance and intelligence-gathering missions without permission, calling such actions “provocative” and “unacceptable.”
Nigeria has not yet issued a formal response, but officials in Abuja have previously denied any deliberate incursion into Sahel Alliance airspace, insisting that all military and humanitarian flights follow international aviation protocols. However, the alliance claims recent violations were deliberate and conducted “under the cover of counter-terrorism operations.”
Security analysts warn that the tense exchange underscores the growing mistrust between West African states following a series of political realignments in the region. Since the 2023 coups, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have shifted sharply away from traditional partners such as France and ECOWAS, forming new military and political partnerships aimed at asserting regional independence.
The latest warning raises fears of a potential confrontation in an already volatile region. Aviation experts say the alliance’s use of the term “neutralise” signals a readiness to take defensive action including shooting down unidentified aircraft if the bloc believes its sovereignty is being undermined.
The Sahel remains one of the world’s most insecure corridors, with jihadist attacks, political instability, and humanitarian crises affecting millions. Analysts caution that an escalation between Nigeria West Africa’s largest military power and the Sahel Alliance could disrupt counter-terrorism operations and worsen instability.
As diplomatic channels remain strained, regional observers are urging dialogue to prevent misunderstandings that could trigger a wider security crisis. For now, the alliance says it will enforce stricter control over its skies, insisting that “any aircraft entering without authorization will face immediate consequences.”
