Burkina Faso has released a Nigerian Air Force C-130 aircraft and 11 military personnel following diplomatic engagements between both countries.
A Nigerian delegation led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, held talks with Burkina Faso’s military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, over the detention of the aircraft and its crew. The discussions culminated in the immediate release of the personnel and the aircraft.
Following the breakthrough, Ambassador Tuggar met with the freed Air Force personnel to confirm their health and well-being. The delegation and the released personnel are currently en route back to Nigeria.
Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to international aviation protocols during the engagements, expressed respect for Burkina Faso’s sovereignty, and rejected what it described as unsubstantiated claims of maltreatment of the detained personnel.
Both countries acknowledged their shared security challenges and stressed the importance of maintaining fraternal and cooperative relations. Officials said the outcome reflects the effectiveness of diplomacy in de-escalating a potentially sensitive regional issue.
The Nigerian Air Force C-130 aircraft had made an emergency landing in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, on December 8, 2025, due to a technical fault. Burkina Faso authorities subsequently detained the aircraft and its 11 crew members, citing alleged unauthorised entry into the country’s airspace.