The Federal Government has dispatched a high-level delegation to Burkina Faso to engage the country’s leadership over the continued detention of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) pilots and crew members.
The delegation comprises senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defence and the Nigerian Air Force Headquarters, and is led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar.
Sources familiar with the mission told Zagazola Makama that the delegation is currently in Ouagadougou for peaceful and constructive engagements with Burkinabè authorities, including a scheduled meeting with President Ibrahim Traoré.
A senior official said the visit is aimed at fostering mutual understanding, de-escalating tensions and securing the release of the detained NAF personnel, who have been held for nine days.
According to the source, the delegation is also conveying Nigeria’s firm commitment to regional security cooperation, dialogue and strict adherence to international aviation and military protocols.
“The mission underscores Nigeria’s preference for diplomacy and neighbourly engagement. It is a confidence-building visit intended to strengthen mutual trust and reaffirm shared responsibilities in addressing the complex security challenges facing the Sahel,” the official said.
The source added that Nigeria, Burkina Faso and other members of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) share a long history of collaboration in security cooperation, training and regional stabilisation efforts, particularly in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism.
The delegation is expected to emphasise Nigeria’s position that sustained dialogue, respect for international norms and regional solidarity are critical to peace and stability in West Africa.
Officials expressed optimism that the engagement would lead to a peaceful resolution of the matter, deepen bilateral relations and reinforce collective efforts to promote security across the region.