By Nworisa Michael
The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially confirmed the release of a Nigerian Air Force aircraft and 11 military personnel who were earlier detained in Burkina Faso following a forced landing.
The confirmation was given on Wednesday night by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, who stated that both the aircraft and the personnel had been released by Burkinabe authorities. When contacted for clarification, Ebienfa simply affirmed the development, saying the issue had been resolved.
The release followed diplomatic engagements led by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, who held a high-level meeting earlier on Wednesday with Burkina Faso’s military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, in Ouagadougou. While official details of the discussions were not made public, Nigerian authorities confirmed that the talks addressed the circumstances surrounding the aircraft’s detention.
According to government sources, the Nigerian Air Force aircraft made an unscheduled landing in Burkina Faso due to operational challenges. The presence of armed foreign military personnel in the country reportedly prompted Burkinabe authorities to temporarily detain the aircraft and its crew, in line with their internal security protocols.
There is no official indication that the detention was hostile in nature, and Nigerian officials have described the matter as a diplomatic and procedural issue rather than a security confrontation. The swift resolution following diplomatic engagement suggests cooperation between both governments.
As of the time of confirmation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had not disclosed further details regarding the mission of the aircraft or the conditions under which the personnel were held, citing ongoing administrative processes.
The development underscores the role of diplomatic dialogue in resolving cross-border military and security matters, particularly at a time when regional relations in West Africa remain sensitive due to evolving political and security dynamics.