By DAYO ADESULU
The Federal Government has confirmed the release of a Nigerian Air Force aircraft and 11 military personnel earlier detained in Burkina Faso following a forced landing, easing days of diplomatic tension between both countries.
The confirmation came on Wednesday night after Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, held a high-level meeting with Burkina Faso’s military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, in Ouagadougou.
FG Confirms Release of Aircraft and Soldiers
Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Kimiebi Ebienfa, confirmed the development, stating that both the aircraft and the detained personnel had been released.
“Yes, they have been released,” Ebienfa said briefly while responding to inquiries.
The announcement followed hours after Ambassador Tuggar’s closed-door engagement with Burkina Faso’s leadership, underscoring the impact of direct diplomatic intervention in resolving the matter.
Incident Triggered by Forced Landing
The Nigerian Air Force aircraft reportedly made an unscheduled or forced landing in Burkina Faso under circumstances that initially led to the detention of the aircraft and its 11 crew members.
While official details surrounding the forced landing remain limited, sources familiar with the situation indicated that Burkina Faso authorities took custody of the aircraft and personnel pending clarification of mission details and diplomatic engagement.
The incident immediately raised concerns in Abuja, particularly given the sensitive security environment across the Sahel region and the evolving political dynamics involving military-led governments.
Tuggar’s Diplomatic Intervention in Ouagadougou
Ambassador Tuggar travelled to Ouagadougou as part of Nigeria’s diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation and secure the release of the detained personnel and aircraft.
During his meeting with Captain Ibrahim Traoré, discussions reportedly focused on bilateral relations, regional security cooperation, and the circumstances surrounding the aircraft’s detention.
Although neither side released full details of the closed-door talks, the swift release following the meeting suggests that diplomatic dialogue played a decisive role.
Observers say the engagement highlights Nigeria’s preference for dialogue and diplomatic channels, even amid complex regional tensions involving military regimes in West Africa.
Regional Context and Sahel Tensions
The incident comes against the backdrop of strained relations between some Sahelian countries and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), following military takeovers in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
Nigeria, as a leading ECOWAS member, has maintained a delicate balancing act — advocating constitutional order while keeping diplomatic lines open with junta-led governments to ensure regional stability and security collaboration.
Security analysts note that misunderstandings involving military assets in the region can easily escalate without timely diplomatic engagement, given heightened sensitivities over sovereignty, airspace control, and counterterrorism operations.
Relief in Abuja as Personnel Return
The release of the Nigerian aircraft and military personnel has been met with relief within government circles and among defence stakeholders.
Sources within the Nigerian Air Force said the priority throughout the incident was the safety of the personnel and the recovery of the aircraft, both of which have now been achieved without escalation.
The Federal Government has not yet confirmed when the personnel will return to Nigeria or whether further diplomatic consultations will follow to prevent a recurrence.
Signal of Continued Diplomatic Engagement
Analysts believe the resolution of the incident reinforces Nigeria’s commitment to diplomacy as a first response, even in military-related disputes.
“The outcome shows that sustained engagement, rather than confrontation, remains Nigeria’s preferred approach in managing sensitive regional incidents,” a foreign policy expert said.
The development may also help stabilise Nigeria–Burkina Faso relations at a time when regional cooperation remains critical in tackling cross-border security threats, including terrorism and organised crime.
As diplomatic efforts continue behind the scenes, the release marks a significant step in restoring calm and reaffirming communication channels between Abuja and Ouagadougou.
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