Burkina Faso has released 11 Nigerian Air Force (NAF) pilots and crew members nine days after their detention, following high-level diplomatic intervention by the Federal Government of Nigeria. Tuggar delivers President Tinubu’s message of solidarity, fraternity to Burkina Faso President
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, on Wednesday had delivered a message of solidarity and fraternity from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the President of Burkina Faso, Capt. Ibrahim Traoré, as both countries explored ways to strengthen bilateral and regional cooperation.
Tuggar conveyed the message on Wednesday during an audience with President Traoré in Ouagadougou, where discussions focused on cooperation across several sectors, including security and the fight against terrorism.
Speaking after the meeting, the minister said Nigeria and Burkina Faso shared longstanding ties and common security concerns, noting that the engagement was aimed at reinforcing mutual understanding and neighbourly relations.
“We exchanged views on cooperation in several sectors. We also discussed the Nigerian aircraft that made an emergency landing in Burkina Faso,” Tuggar said.
He acknowledged procedural irregularities in the authorisation process for the aircraft’s entry into Burkina Faso’s airspace, expressing Nigeria’s regret over the incident, while emphasising Abuja’s respect for Burkina Faso’s sovereignty and international aviation protocols.
The minister also distanced the Federal Government from remarks made by a Nigerian political party official alleging maltreatment of Nigerian military personnel in Burkina Faso.
“We clearly dissociate ourselves from those comments and express our sincere regrets to the government of Burkina Faso,” Tuggar said.
Tuggar commended President Traoré and his government for their spirit of fraternity and the treatment accorded to the occupants of the aircraft during their stay in Burkina Faso.
He further said discussions covered broader regional efforts to tackle terrorism and violent extremism, noting that Burkina Faso had recorded notable successes in counter-terrorism operations.
The minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to sustained dialogue, regional solidarity and enhanced cooperation with Burkina Faso and other countries in the sub-region to address shared security challenges.
The release came shortly after a Nigerian delegation led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, concluded engagements with the Burkinabè authorities in Ouagadougou, including talks with President Ibrahim Traoré.
The delegation comprised senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defence and the NAF Headquarters, and was mandated to pursue a peaceful and constructive resolution to the matter through dialogue.
A senior official familiar with the mission said that the engagement was aimed at fostering mutual understanding, de-escalating tensions and securing the release of the detained NAF personnel, while reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to regional cooperation and adherence to international aviation and military protocols.
“The mission point to Nigeria’s preference for diplomacy and neighbourly engagement. It was a confidence-building visit designed to strengthen trust and reaffirm shared responsibilities in addressing the complex security challenges confronting the Sahel,” the source said.
According to the official, the Nigerian delegation also conveyed Abuja’s enduring commitment to regional security collaboration, dialogue and respect for international norms, noting the long-standing history of cooperation between Nigeria, Burkina Faso and other members of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
Nigeria and Burkina Faso have traditionally collaborated in security training, intelligence sharing and regional stabilisation efforts, particularly in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism across West Africa.
Officials expressed optimism that the successful resolution of the incident would deepen bilateral understanding and reinforce collective efforts to promote peace, stability and security in the region.
.webp)
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