Burkina Faso Frees Detained Nigerian Air Force Crews After Diplomatic Intervention

Burkina Faso Frees Detained Nigerian Air Force Crews After Diplomatic Intervention

Burkina Faso has released 11 Nigerian Air Force (NAF) pilots and crew members, bringing relief to Nigeria after nine days of intense diplomatic engagement between both countries.

The breakthrough followed a high-level visit to Ouagadougou by a Nigerian delegation led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar. The team, which held talks with Burkinabè authorities, including President Ibrahim Traoré, comprised senior officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defence, as well as the Nigerian Air Force headquarters. Their mandate was clear: resolve the matter through dialogue and preserve cordial relations.

Speaking after the meeting, Ambassador Tuggar described the engagement as frank and constructive, noting that Nigeria and Burkina Faso share deep historical ties and face similar security challenges in the region.

According to him, discussions covered cooperation in key sectors and addressed the circumstances surrounding the Nigerian military aircraft that made an emergency landing in Burkina Faso. Tuggar acknowledged that there were lapses in the aircraft’s entry authorisation process and expressed Nigeria’s regret over the incident, while reaffirming Abuja’s respect for Burkina Faso’s sovereignty and international aviation rules.

“We exchanged views on cooperation in several sectors. We also discussed the Nigerian aircraft that made an emergency landing in Burkina Faso,” the minister said.

He also addressed the allegations of mistreatment made by a Nigerian political party official against the detained personnel. Tuggar firmly distanced the Federal Government from the remarks, describing them as unfounded and regrettable.

“We clearly dissociate ourselves from those comments and express our sincere regrets to the government of Burkina Faso,” he stated.

The foreign affairs minister praised President Traoré and his administration for what he described as their spirit of brotherhood and the humane treatment extended to the Nigerian pilots and crew during their stay in Burkina Faso.

Beyond the immediate issue, Tuggar said the talks also touched on wider regional collaboration to confront terrorism and violent extremism, highlighting the need for continued cooperation among neighbouring states to address shared security threats.

The release of the NAF personnel has been widely welcomed in Nigeria, considered a positive outcome of diplomacy and a reaffirmation of the strong ties between the two West African nations.