Burkina Faso Frees Nigerian Air Force Plane and 11 Crew Members

Authorities in Burkina Faso have released a Nigerian Air Force aircraft along with the 11 personnel onboard who were earlier detained.

The NAF C-130 plane was en route to Portugal on a ferry operation when it developed technical problems and carried out an emergency landing in Bobo-Dioulasso about two weeks ago. Explaining the incident, the Nigerian Air Force Director of Public Relations, Mr. Ehimen Ejodame, said the crew diverted to the closest available airfield strictly for safety reasons, in accordance with global aviation regulations.

Despite this, Mali’s military leader, Assimi Goita, speaking on behalf of the Confederation of Sahel States, criticized the landing, labeling it an “unfriendly act” that allegedly violated international law. He further warned that Sahel member states would take action against any aircraft they consider to have breached their airspace.

The Nigerian government has now confirmed that both the aircraft and its crew have been released. This followed diplomatic talks in Ouagadougou between a Nigerian delegation led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Yusuf Tuggar, and Burkina Faso’s leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré.

Tuggar, who represented President Bola Tinubu, later briefed the media on the successful outcome. The development was officially confirmed on Wednesday night by the Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa.