Burkina Faso has released 11 Nigerian Air Force personnel who were detained for nine days after their aircraft made an emergency landing in Bobo-Dioulasso. The release followed high-level diplomatic talks between Nigerian and Burkinabè authorities.
A Nigerian delegation led by Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar met with Burkina Faso’s military leader, President Ibrahim Traoré, to resolve the issue.
The talks focused on de-escalation, confidence-building, and securing the personnel’s release, while reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to international aviation regulations and regional cooperation.
The aircraft had been en route to Portugal for maintenance when it landed in Burkina Faso due to a technical issue. The incident had raised concerns about a potential diplomatic standoff, but Nigeria’s diplomatic efforts paid off.
The released personnel are expected to return to Nigeria after administrative procedures. Both countries have agreed to strengthen communication channels to prevent similar incidents in the future.
