Burkina Faso releases 11 NAF personnel after diplomatic talks

Burkina Faso has released 11 Nigerian Air Force (NAF) pilots and crew members, nine days after their detention, following intensive diplomatic efforts by the Nigerian government.

The release came shortly after a high-level Nigerian delegation, led by Minister of Foreign Affairs Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, met with Burkinabè authorities in Ouagadougou, including President Ibrahim Traoré. The team included senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defence, and NAF Headquarters, tasked with resolving the situation peacefully through dialogue.

Speaking after the meeting, the minister said Nigeria and Burkina Faso shared longstanding ties and common security concerns, noting that the engagement was aimed at reinforcing mutual understanding and neighbourly relations.

“We exchanged views on cooperation in several sectors. We also discussed the Nigerian aircraft that made an emergency landing in Burkina Faso,” Tuggar said.

He acknowledged procedural irregularities in the authorisation process for the aircraft’s entry into Burkina Faso’s airspace, expressing Nigeria’s regret over the incident, while emphasising Abuja’s respect for Burkina Faso’s sovereignty and international aviation protocols.

The minister also distanced the Federal Government from remarks made by a Nigerian political party official alleging maltreatment of Nigerian military personnel in Burkina Faso.

“We clearly dissociate ourselves from those comments and express our sincere regrets to the government of Burkina Faso,” Tuggar said.

Tuggar commended President Traoré and his government for their spirit of fraternity and the treatment accorded to the occupants of the aircraft during their stay in Burkina Faso.

He further said discussions covered broader regional efforts to tackle terrorism and violent extremism.