Tinubu Government Secures Freedom Of Detained Nigerian Soldiers In Burkina Faso

According to Ireporter Online, the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has confirmed the release of 11 Nigerian soldiers and a Nigerian Air Force aircraft that were detained by authorities in Burkina Faso.

The confirmation came on Wednesday night through the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, who disclosed that the release followed diplomatic engagements between both countries. He stated that the development was verified through Nigeria’s Head of Mission in Burkina Faso.

While the soldiers and the aircraft have regained their freedom after spending about 10 days in detention, details regarding their return to Nigeria remain uncertain, as travel and logistical arrangements were yet to be finalised at the time of reporting.

The military personnel were detained after a Nigerian Air Force C-130 aircraft made an emergency landing in Bobo-Dioulasso on December 8, shortly after taking off from Lagos en route to Portugal. The unscheduled landing was reportedly caused by a technical fault.

Burkinabe authorities initially held the aircraft and its crew over allegations of unauthorised entry into the country’s airspace, describing the incident as a violation of national sovereignty. Subsequent investigations by officials of the Confederation of Sahel States and Burkina Faso reportedly indicated that the aircraft did not obtain prior clearance before entering Burkinabe airspace.

In response to the situation, President Tinubu authorised high-level diplomatic efforts, including the dispatch of a Special Envoy to Ouagadougou to engage directly with Burkinabe authorities. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, was also confirmed to be in Burkina Faso in his capacity as the President’s Special Envoy to facilitate the release.

Ebienfa further revealed that Nigeria’s Chargé d’Affaires in Burkina Faso had maintained continuous engagement with the host government, alongside the presidential intervention, expressing confidence that the matter would be brought to a swift resolution.