Diplomacy Yields Results as Burkina Faso Frees Detained Nigerian Air Force Crew

Burkina Faso has released the Nigerian soldiers detained after their aircraft made a forced landing in the Sahelian country, following high-level diplomatic engagement between both nations.

The release came after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu dispatched a delegation led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, to Ouagadougou, where he met with Burkina Faso’s military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, on Wednesday.

A statement by Alkasim Abdulkadir, spokesperson to the foreign affairs minister, said the matter concerning the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) pilots and crew was amicably resolved after constructive discussions between the two sides.

The soldiers had been held for nearly two weeks after the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) described the aircraft’s landing as an “unfriendly act” allegedly carried out in violation of international law.

However, the Nigerian Air Force explained that the aircraft developed a technical concern mid-flight, which necessitated a precautionary landing in Bobo-Dioulasso, the nearest available airfield in Burkina Faso, in line with standard aviation safety procedures and international protocols.

While unconfirmed reports had earlier suggested that the soldiers were released, Tuggar clarified last week that the personnel were still in custody at the time, adding that diplomatic efforts were ongoing to secure their freedom.

The breakthrough followed Wednesday’s bilateral talks, during which Tuggar conveyed President Tinubu’s message of solidarity and fraternity to Traoré. Both parties also explored avenues for strengthening bilateral relations and deepening regional cooperation.

According to Abdulkadir, discussions focused on enhancing political, security and economic collaboration, with emphasis on coordinated responses to shared security challenges and collective action through existing sub-regional frameworks.

“Both sides agreed to sustain regular consultations and pursue practical measures to deepen bilateral cooperation and regional integration, reflecting a shared commitment to peace, unity and stability in the sub-region,” the statement said.

Members of the Nigerian delegation included the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Mohammed Mohammed; the Chief of Policy and Plans, Nigerian Air Force, A.Y. Abdullahi; Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Olawale Awe; and the Chief of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wahab Akande.