FG Confirms Release Of Nigerian Air Force, 11 Soldiers After 9-Day Detention In Burkina Faso

The Federal Government has confirmed the release of a Nigerian Air Force aircraft and 11 soldiers detained in Burkina Faso.

The release came after President Bola Tinubu sent a delegation, led by Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar, to meet with Burkina Faso’s junta leader, Ibrahim Traoré, on Wednesday.

A statement by Tuggar’s spokesperson, Alkasim Abdulkadir, said the issue involving the Nigerian pilots and crew was resolved amicably.

The soldiers had been detained for nine days after the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) called the landing an “unfriendly act” that violated international law.

The Nigerian Air Force, however, said the landing in Bobo-Dioulasso was precautionary due to a technical issue and followed standard safety and international aviation procedures.

Earlier reports suggested the soldiers had already been released, but Tuggar clarified that they were still in Burkina Faso at the time, and efforts were underway to secure their return.

The meeting between Nigerian and Burkinabe officials took place in Ouagadougou.

Abdulkadir said Tuggar conveyed a message of solidarity from President Tinubu to Traoré, and both sides explored ways to strengthen bilateral relations and regional cooperation.

Discussions focused on political, security, and economic collaboration, particularly joint responses to regional security threats and coordinated action within the sub-regional framework.

“Both sides agreed to sustain regular consultations and pursue practical measures to deepen bilateral cooperation and regional integration, reflecting a shared resolve to promote peace, unity, and stability in the sub-region,” Abdulkadir said.

The Nigerian delegation included Mohammed Mohammed, director-general of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA); A.Y. Abdullahi, chief of policy and plans at the Air Force; Olawale Awe, Nigeria’s permanent representative to ECOWAS; and Wahab Akande, chief of protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

KanyiDaily recalls that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said its aircraft that landed in Burkina Faso did so purely for safety reasons and followed all required aviation rules.