Nigeria and Burkina Faso have eased a brief diplomatic strain after authorities in Ouagadougou released 11 Nigerian Air Force, NAF, personnel detained following an emergency landing of their aircraft, ending days of quiet negotiations between both governments.
The release followed high-level diplomatic engagement initiated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who dispatched a powerful delegation to Burkina Faso led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar.
The intervention marked a significant step in reinforcing bilateral ties between the two West African neighbours.
Ambassador Tuggar met with Burkina Faso’s military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, delivering President Tinubu’s message of solidarity, goodwill and commitment to regional cooperation.
The discussions underscored Nigeria’s desire to strengthen fraternity, political understanding and security collaboration with Burkina Faso.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by Alkasim Abdulkadir, Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the ministry said the talks focused on expanding political, economic and security partnerships, with emphasis on collective responses to regional security threats and deeper integration within sub-regional frameworks.
Both sides resolved the matter surrounding the detained NAF pilots and crew through dialogue, highlighting diplomacy and mutual respect as effective tools in addressing sensitive bilateral concerns. The resolution was described as a positive signal for Nigeria–Burkina Faso relations.
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Captain Traoré welcomed the Nigerian delegation and expressed appreciation for President Tinubu’s outreach.
He acknowledged the longstanding relationship between the two countries and stressed the importance of closer cooperation to confront shared security and development challenges in the Sahel and the wider West African region.
Ambassador Tuggar reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to good neighbourliness and sustained engagement, noting that the country remains supportive of initiatives aimed at promoting peace, stability and economic integration across the sub-region.
He also conveyed President Tinubu’s readiness to work closely with Burkina Faso in pursuit of common regional goals.
Both governments agreed to maintain regular consultations and take practical steps to deepen bilateral cooperation, reflecting a shared resolve to foster unity, stability and development in West Africa.
Members of the Nigerian delegation later met with the released NAF personnel, who were said to be in high spirits following their release.
Meanwhile, NAF crew has continued its mission to Portugal with the same aircraft.
The crew, comprising 11 Nigerian personnel, was on a mission to Portugal for scheduled aircraft maintenance when it made an emergency landing in Burkina Faso.
The emergency landing, which occurred in Bobo-Dioulasso on Dec. 8, 2025, was described as a precautionary measure following a technical issue with the aircraft.
The Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Kimiebi Ebienfa, told the News Agency of Nigeria that the crew resumed its journey to Portugal after engagements between Nigerian and Burkina Faso authorities.
Ebienfa said the release of the crew followed diplomatic interventions by a high-powered Nigerian delegation dispatched to Burkina Faso by President Bola Tinubu.
The delegation, led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. YusufTuggar, included the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Amb. Mohammed Mohammed; the Chief of Policy and Plans, Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal A. Y. Abdullahi; Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to ECOWAS, Amb. Olawale Awe; and the Chief of Protocol in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Wahab Akande.
NAN
