Amanze Chinonye
Burkina Faso has released a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) C-130 military aircraft along with 11 Nigerian personnel following high-level diplomatic interventions led by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, Prime Business Africa reports.
The move comes days after the aircraft and its crew were detained following a precautionary landing in Bobo-Dioulasso on 8 December, en route to Portugal for scheduled maintenance. Burkina Faso, a member of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), initially characterised the landing as an unauthorised airspace incursion, prompting the detention and raising diplomatic concerns.
Prime Business Africa gathered that Tuggar’s delegation, which included senior officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defence as well as NAF Headquarters, met Wednesday with Burkina Faso’s military leader, President Ibrahim Traoré, in Ouagadougou. The discussions focused on de-escalating tensions, reinforcing bilateral ties, and affirming compliance with aviation and military protocols.
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Speaking after the meeting, Minister Tuggar described the engagement as a deliberate diplomatic effort to strengthen neighbourly relations and address regional security challenges.
“We exchanged views on cooperation across multiple sectors and discussed the Nigerian aircraft that made an emergency landing in Burkina Faso,” Tuggar said. “We regret any procedural irregularities in authorising the aircraft’s entry and reaffirm our respect for Burkina Faso’s sovereignty and international aviation protocols.”
Tuggar also distanced the Federal Government from remarks by a Nigerian political party official alleging maltreatment of the personnel, offering apologies to Burkinabè authorities.
Security analysts say the swift diplomatic engagement prevented the incident from escalating into a broader regional dispute, particularly amid heightened instability in the Sahel where military juntas in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have withdrawn from ECOWAS to form the AES, straining relations with Nigeria.
The House of Representatives in Abuja had earlier moved to probe the detention of the aircraft and crew, urging Nigeria’s engagement with ECOWAS and the African Union to ensure a peaceful resolution.
Following Tuggar’s talks, Burkina Faso confirmed the release of all 11 personnel and the aircraft, signalling a successful diplomatic outcome and a renewed commitment by both nations to regional stability and cooperation, Prime Business Africa reports.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
