Burkina Faso Releases 11 Nigerian Military Officers After Week-Long Detention

Burkina Faso has released 11 Nigerian military officials and a Nigerian Air Force C-130 aircraft after detaining them for more than a week following an emergency landing in the country.

Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the development, saying the release followed high-level diplomatic engagements led by Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar.

The Nigerian officials were detained after the military aircraft made an unscheduled landing in Bobo-Dioulasso. Burkina Faso, alongside its Sahel allies, initially accused Nigeria of violating its airspace. However, the Nigerian government denied the allegation, explaining that the aircraft was forced to land due to safety concerns, in line with international aviation regulations.

Following diplomatic talks between the two countries, Burkina Faso agreed to release both the detained personnel and the aircraft.

The Nigerian soldiers are expected to return to Nigeria today.

The incident had raised regional concerns, but authorities on both sides say the matter has now been resolved through diplomatic channels.