Tinubu’s diplomatic delegation secures release of Nigerian military officers detained in Burkina Faso, resolving crisis over emergency landing incident
President Bola Tinubu’s administration has announced the resolution of the crisis involving Nigerian military officers detained by the Burkina Faso junta following an alleged airspace violation.
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Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar confirmed the development in a statement, noting that the resolution followed a high-level diplomatic mission led by him to meet Burkinabe military leader Ibrahim Traoré on Wednesday.
“I led a high-level Nigerian delegation to Burkina Faso on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to convey his message of solidarity to President Ibrahim Traoré and engage on shared regional priorities,” Mr Tuggar said.
“The visit allowed us to review pathways for strengthening Nigeria-Burkina Faso relations and advancing regional integration. Through sustained dialogue, we also resolved the matter concerning Nigerian Air Force pilots and crew, reaffirming the effectiveness of diplomacy in addressing sensitive issues.”
The meeting came nearly ten days after 11 Nigerian military officers were detained following an emergency landing of a Nigerian Air Force cargo plane at Bobo Dioulasso airport.
The aircraft reportedly developed a technical fault while en route to Portugal.
The Alliance of Sahel States initially accused Nigeria of violating its sovereignty, claiming the plane had entered Burkinabe airspace without international or diplomatic clearance and subsequently heightened military readiness.
The Nigerian Air Force rejected the allegations, stressing that the aircraft and its crew were conducting a routine mission and acted in accordance with international regulations by landing at the nearest airport during the technical emergency.
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The diplomatic engagement between Nigeria and Burkina Faso underscores the Tinubu administration’s commitment to regional cooperation and conflict resolution through dialogue, averting further escalation over sensitive security matters.
