The Federal Government has confirmed the release of a Nigerian Air Force aircraft and 11 soldiers who were detained in Burkina Faso following a forced landing nearly two weeks ago.
The confirmation was given on Wednesday night by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Kimiebi Ebienfa, who said the aircraft and personnel had been freed.
“Yes, they have been released,” Ebienfa said.
The development followed a diplomatic engagement earlier on Wednesday, when the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Yusuf Tuggar, met Burkina Faso’s military leader, Mr Ibrahim Traoré, in Ouagadougou.
Speaking during a press briefing, Tuggar said the visit was undertaken at the instance of President Bola Tinubu, as part of efforts to resolve the situation through dialogue.
The incident occurred when a Nigerian Air Force C-130 aircraft, conveying 11 soldiers, made a forced landing in Bobo Dioulasso while on a ferry mission to Portugal.
Explaining the circumstances at the time, the Director of Public Relations and Information of the Nigerian Air Force, Mr Ehimen Ejodame, said the crew detected a technical fault and carried out a precautionary landing at the nearest available airfield, in line with international aviation safety protocols.
However, the landing drew criticism from regional authorities. Mali’s military leader, Mr Assimi Goita, speaking on behalf of the Confederation of Sahel States, had described the incident as an “unfriendly act carried out in defiance of international law,” warning that member states were authorised to neutralise aircraft that violate their airspace.
The release of the aircraft and personnel is expected to ease diplomatic tensions and reinforce ongoing efforts at engagement between Nigeria and countries within the Sahel region.
