Nigeria’s diplomatic intervention led by President Bola Tinubu secures the release of 11 Nigerian Air Force personnel detained in Burkina Faso after nine days
Tinubu’s Diplomacy Secures Release of 11 Nigerian Air Force Personnel from Burkina Faso
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, on Wednesday met with the 11 Nigerian Air Force (NAF) pilots and crew members released by Burkina Faso following intensive diplomatic engagements between both countries.
The release came after a high-powered presidential delegation dispatched by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu successfully intervened with Burkina Faso’s leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, bringing an end to the nine-day detention of the Nigerian officers.
Confirming the development, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said the NAF personnel were released on Wednesday night.
In a statement issued by the Minister’s spokesperson, Alkasim Abdulkadir, the federal government said the matter had been amicably resolved through dialogue.
“In the spirit of constructive engagement, the two governments amicably resolved the issue concerning Nigerian Air Force pilots and crew, reinforcing confidence and highlighting the effectiveness of dialogue in addressing sensitive matters,” the statement read.
During his interaction with the released officers, Ambassador Tuggar conveyed President Tinubu’s appreciation to the Burkinabe authorities for their cooperation and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to peaceful dialogue, regional stability, and strengthened bilateral relations within West Africa.
The Foreign Minister also praised the detained officers for their conduct during the ordeal.
He commended the professionalism, discipline, and resilience displayed by the Air Force personnel throughout their detention, assuring them of the Federal Government’s continued concern for the welfare of Nigerian service members wherever they are deployed.
Officials disclosed that the NAF personnel were on official duties linked to regional security cooperation when the incident occurred. Their freedom followed days of quiet diplomacy and sustained engagements between Nigerian and Burkinabe officials.
According to sources familiar with the arrangements, the presidential delegation and the released officers are expected to return to Nigeria on Thursday via Banjul, The Gambia.
The incident had earlier attracted regional attention after the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) — comprising Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger — accused Nigeria of violating Burkina Faso’s airspace.
The AES claimed that the emergency landing of a Nigerian military aircraft in Bobo-Dioulasso, a city in south-western Burkina Faso, amounted to an infringement of the country’s sovereignty.
However, the Nigerian Air Force firmly rejected the allegation, explaining that the aircraft made a precautionary landing for safety reasons.
According to the NAF, the C-130 aircraft was en route to Portugal when the crew observed a technical issue that necessitated an emergency landing.
The Air Force stated that the decision was taken “in accordance with standard safety procedures and international aviation protocols,” noting that Bobo-Dioulasso was the nearest suitable airfield.
Last week, Ambassador Tuggar clarified that the incident was unrelated to Nigeria’s stance on the recent military coup in Benin, stressing that diplomatic efforts were ongoing at the time.
“We are discussing how we can resolve this delicate matter as quickly as possible, and we’re talking. So it’s something that is being handled diplomatically,” he had said.
The successful release of the NAF personnel underscores President Tinubu’s proactive diplomatic approach and Nigeria’s preference for peaceful engagement over confrontation in resolving disputes involving sister African nations. Read More
