Burkina Faso has released 11 Nigerian Air Force personnel who were detained on December 8, 2025, after their C-130 aircraft made an emergency landing in Bobo-Dioulasso due to a technical issue. The Nigerian government had sent a high-level delegation led by Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar to meet with Burkina Faso’s military leader, Ibrahim Traoré, to resolve the issue.
The Confederation of Sahel States (AES), which includes Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, had initially described the landing as an “unfriendly act” and placed its air defenses on high alert. However, Nigeria maintained that the landing was done in accordance with international guidelines and safety procedures.
The release of the soldiers follows diplomatic efforts by President Bola Tinubu, who sent the delegation to convey a message of solidarity and fraternity to Traoré. The talks also focused on strengthening bilateral relations, regional cooperation, and addressing security challenges in the Sahel region.
The Nigerian delegation included senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Intelligence Agency, and the Nigerian Air Force. Both countries have agreed to sustain regular consultations and deepen cooperation to promote peace, unity, and stability in the sub-region.
The aircraft is expected to proceed to Portugal for scheduled maintenance.
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