- Freed Nigerian Air Force members have landed safely in Ghana
- Soldiers were detained after emergency aircraft landing
- Release followed high-level diplomatic talks
- Nigeria reaffirms commitment to regional cooperation
The Nigerian Air Force pilots and crew members detained by Burkina Faso authorities have arrived safely at an Air Force base in Accra, Ghana.
Confirming the development in a post on X on Friday evening, Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar said the soldiers landed without incident after their release earlier in the week.
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“I can confirm that the pilots and crew of NAF C-130 (913) have safely arrived at the Air Force Base in Accra. The successful outcome reflects Nigeria’s commitment to diplomacy, regional cooperation, and the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in resolving sensitive matters through dialogue,” Tuggar wrote.
The soldiers were detained after their aircraft made a forced precautionary landing in Burkina Faso. Authorities in the Sahelian nation initially described the landing as an unfriendly act, citing concerns under international law.
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However, the Nigerian Air Force explained that the crew detected a technical issue mid-flight and followed standard aviation safety procedures by landing at the nearest available airfield in Bobo-Dioulasso.
The breakthrough came on December 17, following a diplomatic mission sent by President Bola Tinubu to Ouagadougou. The delegation, led by Tuggar, met with Burkina Faso’s junta leader, Ibrahim Traoré, where both sides agreed to resolve the matter amicably.
According to Tuggar’s spokesperson, Alkasim Abdulkadir, discussions focused on strengthening political, security, and economic cooperation between both countries, while also addressing shared regional security challenges.
The successful release has been widely seen as a boost to Nigeria–Burkina Faso relations and a signal of Nigeria’s preference for peaceful engagement within the West African region.
