Nigerian military personnel detained in Burkina Faso earlier this month have been released following diplomatic engagements between both countries.
Nigerian officials confirmed that the release was secured after President Bola Tinubu authorised a high-level diplomatic mission to Ouagadougou, led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar.
The delegation met with Burkina Faso’s military leadership to address the circumstances surrounding the detention.
The soldiers, who are members of the Nigerian Air Force, were held after their aircraft made an unscheduled landing in Burkina Faso.
While regional authorities initially raised concerns over the incident, Nigerian authorities maintained that the landing was necessitated by operational considerations and conducted in line with aviation safety procedures.
Diplomatic discussions between both sides focused on resolving the incident and preventing a further escalation. The talks resulted in an understanding that led to the release of the detained personnel, bringing the matter to a close after nearly two weeks.
Officials familiar with the engagement said the discussions extended beyond the immediate incident, touching on broader issues of bilateral relations, regional security cooperation, and the need for continued dialogue among West African states.
Both countries reportedly agreed to sustain communication channels and strengthen coordination on shared security challenges in the Sahel region.
Members of the Nigerian delegation included senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Intelligence Agency, the Nigerian Air Force, and Nigeria’s mission to regional institutions.
The development underscores the role of diplomacy in resolving sensitive cross-border security incidents and reflects Nigeria’s continued engagement with neighbouring countries amid evolving regional security dynamics.