Burkina Faso Releases 11 Nigerian Air Force Personnel After Quiet Diplomatic Talks
Burkina Faso has released 11 Nigerian Air Force personnel who had been detained following an unexpected landing by a Nigerian military aircraft on Burkinabè soil, bringing an uneasy diplomatic episode to a close. The personnel, alongside a Nigerian Air Force C 130 aircraft, were freed after days of behind the scenes engagement between both governments. Nigerian officials described the outcome as the result of sustained dialogue rather than public confrontation, a tone that reflected the sensitivity of relations within the Sahel region. The incident began when the aircraft, said to be on a routine ferry mission from Nigeria to Europe for maintenance, made a precautionary landing in Bobo Dioulasso. Nigerian authorities maintained that the stop was prompted by technical concerns and followed established international aviation safety procedures. Burkina Faso, however, viewed the landing differently, initially treating it as an unauthorized entry into its airspace. What followed was a brief but tense standoff. The aircraft was impounded and its crew detained, sparking concern in defence and diplomatic circles back home. As days passed, questions grew louder in Nigeria, with lawmakers seeking explanations and assurances that the matter would not escalate. The breakthrough came after a high level Nigerian delegation traveled to Ouagadougou. Officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense were part of the talks, which sources say were direct, restrained and focused on preserving regional cooperation. By the end of those discussions, Burkina Faso agreed to release the personnel and allow the aircraft to depart. In a statement, Nigerian officials welcomed the decision, describing it as a reaffirmation of dialogue and mutual respect between neighboring states. They stressed that no harm was done to the detained personnel and that arrangements were immediately made for their return.
| 2025-12-18 08:43:41