FG Confirms Release of Nigerian Aircraft, Soldiers After Tuggar Meets Burkina Faso Leader

The Federal Government has confirmed that the Nigerian Air Force aircraft and 11 soldiers detained in Burkina Faso following a forced landing have been released.

Speaking on Wednesday night, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Mr. Kimiebi Ebienfa, said, “Yes, they have been released.”

The development followed a meeting between the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Yusuf Tuggar, and Burkina Faso junta leader, Mr. Ibrahim Traoré, in Ouagadougou. Tuggar, who led a Nigerian delegation, stated that the visit was at the direction of President Bola Tinubu.

The incident occurred nearly two weeks ago when a Nigerian Air Force C-130 aircraft, carrying 11 soldiers on a ferry mission to Portugal, made a precautionary landing in Bobo Dioulasso due to a technical issue. The Director of Public Relations of the Nigerian Air Force, Mr. Ehimen Ejodame, explained that the landing was in line with international aviation protocols.

Earlier, Mali junta leader, Mr. Assimi Goita, speaking for the Confederation of Sahel States, described the landing as an “unfriendly act carried out in defiance of international law,” warning that member states were authorized to neutralize aircraft violating their airspace.

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