Burkina Faso releases detained Nigerian soldiers after Tuggar’s meeting with Traoré
Burkina Faso has released the 11 Nigerian soldiers detained after their aircraft made a forced landing in the Sahelian country.
The soldiers were released after President Bola Tinubu sent a delegation led by Yusuf Tuggar, minister of foreign affairs, to meet with Ibrahim Traoré, Burkin Faso’s junta leader, on Wednesday.
A statement issued by Alkasim Abdulkadir, Tuggar’s spokesperson, said both sides amicably resolved the issue concerning the Nigerian Air Force pilots and crew.
Their release Wednesday night comes about nine days after their arrest.
“In the spirit of constructive engagement, the two governments amicably resolved the issue concerning Nigerian Air Force pilots and crew, reinforcing confidence and highlighting the effectiveness of dialogue in addressing sensitive matters,” the statement read.
The Alliance of Sahel States had accused Nigeria of violating the airspace of Burkina Faso, and claimed that the emergency landing in Bobo Dioulasso, constituted an infringement of national sovereignty.
But, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) denied this, clarifying that the aircraft landed in Burkina Faso for safety reasons and “in accordance with standard safety procedures and international aviation protocols.”
The air force said the crew of the NAF C-130 aircraft “observed a technical concern which necessitated a precautionary landing in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, the nearest airfield.” The air force said the aircraft was travelling to Portugal before the emergency landing.
Last week, Mr Tuggar said that the aircraft landing in Burkina Faso was unrelated to Nigeria’s intervention in the recent military coup in Benin, and assured that discussions to resolve the “delicate matter as quickly as possible” was on.
