The 11 Nigerian Air Force personnel released by Burkina Faso authorities after 10 days of detention are expected to return to Nigeria on Thursday alongside the presidential delegation that secured their freedom.
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, met with the freed military personnel in Burkina Faso following their release from custody in the West African nation led by Captain Ibrahim Traoré.
The release was confirmed on Wednesday night by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, bringing to an end a diplomatic standoff that had strained relations between the two countries.
The NAF personnel were detained after their Nigerian Air Force C-130 aircraft made an unscheduled emergency landing in Bobo-Dioulasso on December 8 due to a technical malfunction. The aircraft had departed Lagos and was en route to Portugal when the crew was forced to land in Burkina Faso.
Burkinabe authorities held both the aircraft and its crew over alleged airspace violations, characterizing the incident as a breach of the country’s sovereignty. The Confederation of Sahel States and Burkinabe officials conducted investigations that reportedly concluded the aircraft lacked prior authorization to enter Burkinabe airspace.
The detention triggered intensive diplomatic efforts by the Nigerian government to secure the release of the military personnel and the aircraft. After days of negotiations through diplomatic channels, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu dispatched a special envoy to Ouagadougou to engage directly with Burkinabe authorities.
The successful resolution of the crisis marks a diplomatic victory for the Tinubu administration, which had prioritized the safe return of the detained military personnel while maintaining cordial relations with the Sahel nation.
The incident highlighted the complex security and diplomatic dynamics in West Africa, particularly involving the Confederation of Sahel States, which comprises Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. The three countries have distanced themselves from the Economic Community of West African States following military takeovers and have adopted stricter protocols regarding airspace access.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had previously confirmed that it had taken full responsibility for negotiations to secure the release of both the detained military personnel and the aircraft, though details about the aircraft’s status remain unclear.
The return of the NAF personnel and the presidential delegation is expected to provide closure to families who had been anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones since the detention began over a week ago.
