Burkina Faso has released the Nigerian soldiers who were detained after their aircraft made a precautionary landing in the Sahelian nation. The release followed a diplomatic mission led by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, who met with Burkina Faso’s junta leader, Ibrahim Traoré, on Wednesday. Tuggar’s spokesperson, Alkasim Abdulkadir, confirmed that both sides had amicably resolved the matter concerning the Nigerian Air Force pilots and crew.
The soldiers had been held for nearly two weeks after the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) described the landing as an “unfriendly act carried out in defiance of international law.” However, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) explained that a technical issue forced a precautionary landing in Bobo-Dioulasso, the nearest available airfield, as part of standard safety and international aviation procedure
The C-130 aircraft, carrying 11 Nigerian soldiers, was on a ferry mission to Portugal when the incident occurred. While the AES authorized member states to neutralize any aircraft violating its airspace, Nigeria maintained that the landing was purely safety-driven and not a breach of international law.
Last week, unconfirmed reports suggested the soldiers had been released, but Tuggar clarified that they were still in Burkina Faso at that time and assured that diplomatic efforts were ongoing. Wednesday’s discussions, held in Ouagadougou, marked a significant step toward resolving the issue.
Tuggar delivered a message of solidarity and fraternity from President Bola Tinubu to Traoré, emphasizing avenues for deepening bilateral relations and regional integration. The talks focused on political, security, and economic cooperation, particularly coordinated responses to regional security challenges within the sub-region.
Abdulkadir stated, “Both sides agreed to sustain regular consultations and pursue practical measures to deepen bilateral cooperation and regional integration, reflecting a shared resolve to promote peace, unity, and stability in the sub-region.”
The Nigerian delegation included Mohammed Mohammed, director-general of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA); A.Y. Abdullahi, chief of policy and plans, NAF; Olawale Awe, permanent representative to ECOWAS; and Wahab Akande, chief of protocol at the ministry of foreign affairs.
The successful resolution underscores the power of diplomacy in addressing sensitive cross-border issues and highlights the importance of maintaining open communication amid regional political and security challenges in the Sahel.
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