LunagisthubBurkina Faso Releases Detained Nigerian Soldiers and Aircraft After Diplomatic Intervention
In a significant development, Burkina Faso has released 11 Nigerian soldiers and a Nigerian Air Force aircraft that were detained for 10 days following an emergency landing in the Sahel country. The release was confirmed by Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who stated that the soldiers and aircraft were freed after diplomatic engagements between Nigeria and Burkina Faso .
The Nigerian Air Force C-130 aircraft made an unscheduled landing in Bobo-Dioulasso on December 8 due to a technical issue shortly after departing Lagos en route to Portugal. Burkina Faso authorities detained the aircraft and its crew, citing alleged airspace violations and describing the incident as a breach of sovereignty
Following the detention, President Bola Tinubu dispatched a Special Envoy, led by Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar, to Ouagadougou to engage with Burkinabe authorities. The diplomatic efforts paid off, and the soldiers and aircraft were released after Tuggar met with Burkinabe junta leader Captain Ibrahim Traoré
While the release of the soldiers and aircraft is a welcome development, the timing of their return to Nigeria remains unclear, as travel arrangements are yet to be finalized .
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