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.
Confirming the development on Wednesday night, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Mr. Kimiebi Ebienfa, stated that both the aircraft and the personnel have been released.
The confirmation followed a meeting on Wednesday between Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Yusuf Tuggar, and Burkina Faso’s junta leader, Mr. Ibrahim Traoré, in Ouagadougou.
Tuggar, who led the Nigerian delegation, stated during a press briefing that the visit was initiated by President Bola Tinubu.
The incident occurred nearly two weeks ago when a Nigerian Air Force C-130 aircraft, carrying 11 soldiers, made a forced landing in Bobo Dioulasso while on a ferry mission to Portugal.
The Nigerian Air Force’s Director of Public Relations, Mr. Ehimen Ejodame, explained that the crew encountered a technical issue and conducted a precautionary landing at the nearest airfield, following international aviation protocols.
However, Mali’s junta leader, Mr. Assimi Goita, speaking on behalf of the Confederation of Sahel States, condemned the landing as an “unfriendly act” that violated international law, warning that member states are authorized to neutralize aircraft infringing on their airspace.
