Burkina Faso releases detained Nigerian soldiers after Tuggar’s meeting with Traore

Burkina Faso has released Nigerian Air Force (NAF) personnel who were detained after their aircraft made a forced landing in the country, following diplomatic engagement between both governments.

The release came after President Bola Tinubu dispatched a high-level delegation to Burkina Faso, led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, to meet with the country’s leader, Captain Ibrahim Traore, in Ouagadougou on Wednesday, December 17, 2025.

A statement issued by the spokesperson to the minister, Alkasim Abdulkadir, said the matter was amicably resolved during talks between the two sides, underscoring the effectiveness of dialogue in addressing sensitive issues.

Abdulkadir stated that Tuggar conveyed a message of solidarity and fraternity from
Tinubu to Traore, saying discussions focused on strengthening political, security, and economic cooperation between Nigeria and Burkina Faso, as well as deepening regional integration.

According to him, talks also addressed coordinated responses to regional security challenges and collective action within existing sub-regional frameworks.

NAF: Why military aircraft made emergency landing in Burkina Faso

He said: “In the same spirit of constructive engagement, the two governments amicably resolved the issue concerning Nigerian Air Force pilots and crew, reinforcing mutual confidence and highlighting the effectiveness of dialogue in addressing sensitive matters.

“President Traoré welcomed the Nigerian delegation and conveyed his appreciation to President Tinubu for the message of goodwill.

“He acknowledged the long-standing ties between Nigeria and Burkina Faso and emphasized the importance of closer collaboration, particularly in addressing shared security and development challenges across the Sahel and the wider West African region.”

He further quoted Tuggar as reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to good neighbourliness and sustained engagement with Burkina Faso, stressing Tinubu’s readiness to work closely with the country to promote stability, peace and economic development in the region.

Abdulkadir disclosed that the delegation also met with the released crew members, “who were in high spirits.”

The Star