Burkina Faso Releases Detained Nigerian Soldiers After Tuggar's Meeting With Traoré

Burkina Faso has released all 11 Nigerian Air Force personnel who were detained after their aircraft made a forced landing in the Sahelian country earlier this month, the Federal Government and diplomatic sources confirmed on Wednesday night.

The development followed sustained high-level diplomatic engagement led by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, who met with Burkina Faso’s transitional leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, in Ouagadougou on Wednesday.

The detained Nigerian soldiers, who were on board a C-130 aircraft that diverted to Bobo-Dioulasso on December 8 due to a technical concern, were held by Burkinabè authorities amid differing views on the circumstances of the landing.

After nearly nine days in custody, the personnel were released following formal discussions involving senior Nigerian and Burkina Faso officials.

Speaking after the meeting, Tuggar reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional cooperation and mutual understanding. “We exchanged views on cooperation across multiple sectors and discussed the Nigerian aircraft that made an emergency landing,” he said, acknowledging procedural irregularities while emphasising respect for Burkina Faso’s sovereignty and international aviation norms.

He also distanced the Federal Government from unauthorised remarks made by other parties that had emerged in public discourse during the diplomatic standoff.

The release of the military personnel and aircraft was confirmed by the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with spokesperson Alkasim Abdulkadir stating that the actions followed high‑level engagement and were aimed at de‑escalating tension and reinforcing regional ties.

Nigerian officials described the outcome as a demonstration of the effectiveness of dialogue and peaceful resolution in addressing sensitive cross-border incidents.