Burkina Faso has released a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) C-130
military aircraft and 11 Nigerian military personnel who were detained in the
West African nation following a forced landing earlier this month, the Nigerian
government confirmed late Wednesday.
The development came shortly after a high-level diplomatic
intervention led by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf
Tuggar, who travelled to Ouagadougou at the behest of President Bola Ahmed
Tinubu to resolve the matter through direct engagement with Burkina Faso’s
junta leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré.
“We can confirm the aircraft and all personnel have been
released,” the spokesperson of Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr.
Kimiebi Ebienfa, stated on Wednesday night. “Yes, they have been released.”
Incident Overview: Emergency Landing and Detention
The incident stems from an emergency diversion of a Nigerian
Air Force C-130 military transport aircraft on 8 December 2025, during a
ferry flight from Lagos, Nigeria, to Portugal for scheduled maintenance.
According to the NAF, the crew experienced a technical issue mid-flight and
opted to land at the nearest available airfield in Bobo-Dioulasso,
Burkina Faso, in line with international aviation safety protocols.
However, Burkinabè authorities, acting in concert with the Alliance
of Sahel States (AES) — a breakaway regional bloc comprising Burkina Faso,
Mali, and Niger — alleged that the aircraft entered Burkinabè airspace without
prior clearance and breached national sovereignty. AES officials publicly
condemned the landing as an “unfriendly act carried out in defiance of
international law,” warning that member states were authorised to react to
future alleged violations.
In the days that followed, the aircraft was grounded and its
crew and passengers — two crew members and nine other military personnel — were
held by Burkinabè authorities. Initial reports of the release were confusing,
with conflicting statements about the status of the detentions. Nigeria’s
foreign minister at one point confirmed the personnel were still in Burkina
Faso as discussions continued, highlighting the sensitivity and complexity of
the situation.
Diplomatic Breakthrough: Tuggar’s Mission to Ouagadougou
The turning point in the standoff emerged on Wednesday when
Minister Tuggar led a Nigerian delegation to Burkina Faso’s capital for talks
with the leadership there. The delegation included senior officials from
Nigeria’s Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the NAF
Headquarters, signalling the government’s determination to secure a peaceful
resolution.
At the centre of the discussions was a frank exchange on
cooperation, respect for sovereignty, and regional security challenges shared
by both countries. Minister Tuggar acknowledged procedural irregularities
in the authorisation process for the aircraft’s entry into Burkinabè airspace,
offering regret over the incident while reiterating Nigeria’s respect for
Burkina Faso’s sovereignty and international aviation norms.
“We exchanged views on cooperation in several areas. We also
discussed the Nigerian aircraft that made an emergency landing in Burkina
Faso,” Tuggar said after meeting President Traoré. “We regret any procedural
issues and reaffirm our respect for Burkina Faso’s sovereignty.”
Notably, the Nigerian side also distanced itself from
inflammatory remarks circulating from some political quarters in Nigeria
regarding the treatment of the detained personnel, emphasising the government’s
preference for diplomacy and neighbourly relations.
Regional Context: Security, Sovereignty and Shifting
Alliances
The episode underscores deeper regional dynamics and tensions
in West Africa. Burkina Faso, along with Mali and Niger, withdrew from the Economic
Community of West African States (ECOWAS) following disputes over
governance and security, forming the AES as an alternative regional grouping.
This shift has added complexity to diplomatic engagements, particularly with
Nigeria, a longstanding ECOWAS leader.
Security cooperation remains a pressing concern across the
Sahel, where jihadist insurgencies and cross-border militancy continue to
destabilise communities and strain resources. Nigeria and Burkina Faso have
historically cooperated on counter-terrorism initiatives, and the recent
negotiations provided an opportunity to reinforce shared commitments to
tackling violence and enhancing regional stability.
Reactions and Next Steps
Nigerian government officials have welcomed the release as a diplomatic
success, underscoring that peaceful dialogue was instrumental in averting
escalation. Nigeria’s legislature had previously expressed concern over the
detentions and urged sustained diplomatic engagement with regional partners and
multilateral organisations, including ECOWAS and the African Union.
Analysts say that the swift resolution prevented what could
have evolved into a prolonged diplomatic crisis, noting that both sides
emphasised mutual interests and regional stability. The discussions also opened
avenues for future collaboration on political, economic, and security fronts.
As of Thursday, there was no official word on whether the
aircraft itself would immediately be returned to Nigerian custody or resume its
intended journey to Portugal. However, with the personnel safely released and
diplomatic channels strengthened, both countries appear committed to moving
past the incident and reinforcing cooperation for the broader good of West
African peace and security.
0 Comments