The Federal Government has confirmed the release of a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft and 11 of its personnel who were detained in Burkina Faso following a precautionary landing.
The confirmation was made on Wednesday night by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Kimiebi Ebienfa, who briefly stated: “Yes, they have been released.”
The development followed a high-level diplomatic engagement in Ouagadougou between Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Yusuf Tuggar, and Burkina Faso’s junta leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré.
Tuggar led a Nigerian delegation to the Burkinabé capital on the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and later briefed journalists on the outcome of the meeting.
The incident occurred nearly two weeks ago when a Nigerian Air Force C-130 aircraft, conveying 11 personnel on a routine ferry mission to Portugal, developed a technical fault and made a precautionary landing at the Bobo Dioulasso airport in Burkina Faso.
Director of Public Relations and Information of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, had earlier explained that the crew acted strictly in line with international aviation safety procedures by diverting to the nearest suitable airfield to ensure the safety of personnel and equipment.
Despite these explanations, the landing attracted regional diplomatic attention. Mali’s junta leader, Colonel Assimi Goïta, speaking on behalf of the Confederation of Sahel States, had described the incident as an “unfriendly act” allegedly carried out in violation of international law, warning that member states were authorised to neutralise aircraft deemed to have violated their airspace.
The successful release of the aircraft and personnel now brings the matter to a diplomatic resolution, underscoring Nigeria’s continued engagement with regional partners to address security and aviation-related concerns through dialogue.
