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Burkina Faso frees detained Nigerian soldiers, aircraft
Burkina Faso Releases 11 Nigerian Soldiers, NAF Aircraft After Emergency Landing
Burkina Faso authorities have released 11 Nigerian soldiers and a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) C-130 aircraft, ten days after they were detained following an emergency landing in the Sahel nation.
The confirmation was given on Wednesday night by the spokesperson for Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, who disclosed that Nigeria’s diplomatic mission in Burkina Faso had verified the development.
“They have been released. I just confirmed with our Head of Mission in Burkina Faso,” Ebienfa said.
However, details regarding the exact return date of the soldiers and the aircraft to Nigeria remain unclear, as travel arrangements were yet to be finalised at the time of filing this report.
Why the Soldiers Were Detained
The Nigerian military personnel were detained after their NAF C-130 aircraft made an unscheduled landing in Bobo-Dioulasso on December 8, shortly after departing Lagos on a ferry mission to Portugal.
According to reports, the aircraft developed a technical fault shortly after take-off, forcing the crew to divert to the nearest available airfield in line with international aviation safety procedures.
Burkinabe authorities initially detained the crew and aircraft over alleged airspace violations, describing the incident as a breach of national sovereignty.
Diplomatic Efforts That Led to the Release
Investigations conducted by the Confederation of Sahel States and Burkinabe officials reportedly concluded that the aircraft lacked prior authorisation to enter Burkina Faso’s airspace, a finding that prolonged the detention.
In response, President Bola Tinubu authorised high-level diplomatic engagement, dispatching a Special Envoy to Ouagadougou to negotiate the release of the detained personnel.
Earlier on Wednesday, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, was also confirmed to be in Ouagadougou as the President’s Special Envoy to facilitate the resolution of the matter.
Ebienfa explained that Nigeria’s Chargé d’Affaires in Burkina Faso had been working closely with the host government throughout the process.
“The Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Nigeria in Burkina Faso has been engaging the host government, and Mr President has also sent a Special Envoy,” he said.
Nigerian Air Force Reacts
Throughout the detention period, the Nigerian Air Force repeatedly assured the public that the crew remained safe and well-treated, noting that the precautionary landing complied with standard aviation and international safety protocols.
The aircraft, officials said, diverted to Bobo-Dioulasso strictly due to safety considerations after detecting a technical issue shortly after take-off from Lagos.
National Assembly Raises Concern
On Tuesday, the House of Representatives expressed concern over the prolonged detention of the Nigerian soldiers and called for intensified diplomatic engagement to secure their release, a move that further heightened pressure on the matter.
With the soldiers and aircraft now released, attention has shifted to arrangements for their safe return to Nigeria and the broader implications for regional military and diplomatic coordination.
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