Burkina Faso has released 11 Nigerian Air Force (NAF) pilots and crew members, nine days after their detention, following high-level diplomatic intervention by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The release came after a Nigerian delegation, led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, concluded engagements with Burkinabè authorities in Ouagadougou, including discussions with Burkina Faso’s President, Ibrahim Traoré.
The delegation comprised senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defence and the Nigerian Air Force Headquarters. It was mandated to seek a peaceful and constructive resolution through dialogue.
A senior official familiar with the mission said the engagement focused on fostering mutual understanding, de-escalating tensions and securing the release of the detained NAF personnel, while reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to regional cooperation and respect for international aviation and military protocols.
According to the official, the visit underscored Nigeria’s preference for diplomacy and neighbourly engagement, describing it as a confidence-building effort aimed at strengthening trust and reinforcing shared responsibilities in addressing security challenges in the Sahel.
The Nigerian delegation also reiterated Abuja’s commitment to regional security collaboration, dialogue and adherence to international norms, highlighting the long-standing cooperation between Nigeria, Burkina Faso and other members of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
Nigeria and Burkina Faso have a history of collaboration in security training, intelligence sharing and regional stabilisation, particularly in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism in West Africa.
Officials expressed optimism that the resolution of the incident would further deepen bilateral relations and strengthen collective efforts to promote peace, stability and security across the region.
