Nigeria has confirmed the release of eleven military personnel of the Air Force, detained by authorities in Burkina Faso over accusations of air space breaches.
The release follows meetings between Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, Yusuf Tuggar and Burkinabe junta leader, Ibrahim Traoré, in Ouagadougou on Wednesday, December 17.
The incident occurred on December 8 when a Nigerian Air Force C 130 aircraft, while on a ferry mission to Portugal, made an emergency landing in Bobo Dioulasso.
The Alliance of Sahel States, which includes Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger had accused Nigeria of violating Burkina Faso’s airspace, warning that it will “neutralize any aircraft that violates the confederation’s airspace.”
In a statement on X, Yusuf Tuggar said “through sustained dialogue, we also resolved the matter concerning Nigerian Air Force pilots and crew, reaffirming the effectiveness of diplomacy in addressing sensitive issues.”
The Nigerian Air Force said last week that the aircraft was headed to Portugal for scheduled maintenance when it made the emergency landing in western Burkina Faso.
Following their release, Nigerian authorities say the crew will now fly the aircraft to Portugal for the scheduled maintenance.
