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Burkina Faso has released Nigerian Air Force (NAF) personnel who were detained after their military aircraft made a forced landing in the country, following high-level diplomatic engagement between both governments.
High-Level Delegation Resolves Standoff
The release followed a visit to Ouagadougou on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, by a Nigerian delegation led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar. The delegation was dispatched by President Bola Tinubu to meet Burkina Faso’s leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré.
According to a statement issued by Alkasim Abdulkadir, spokesperson to the foreign affairs minister, discussions between both sides led to an amicable resolution of the incident.
Dialogue and Regional Cooperation
Abdulkadir said Tuggar conveyed a message of solidarity and fraternity from President Tinubu to Captain Traoré, stressing Nigeria’s commitment to good neighbourliness and regional stability.
Talks during the meeting focused on strengthening political, security and economic cooperation, deepening regional integration, and coordinating responses to shared security challenges across the Sahel and wider West African region.
Amicable Resolution of Aircraft Incident
“In the same spirit of constructive engagement, the two governments amicably resolved the issue concerning Nigerian Air Force pilots and crew,” Abdulkadir said, noting that the outcome reinforced mutual confidence and highlighted the effectiveness of diplomacy in resolving sensitive matters.
Captain Traoré welcomed the Nigerian delegation and expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for the gesture of goodwill, while reaffirming the long-standing ties between both countries.
Commitment to Peace and Development
Tuggar reiterated Nigeria’s readiness to work closely with Burkina Faso to promote peace, stability and economic development in the region.
Abdulkadir added that the Nigerian delegation also met with the released NAF personnel, who were described as being “in high spirits” following their release.
