Burkina Faso has released 11 personnel of the Nigerian Air Force who were detained earlier this month after their aircraft made an emergency landing in the country, Nigerian authorities confirmed on Wednesday.
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs said the air force crew had been held since December 8, when their aircraft entered Burkinabe airspace and was forced to land under emergency circumstances. The incident initially raised concerns over an alleged violation of Burkina Faso’s airspace, prompting the detention of the crew pending investigations.
According to officials, diplomatic engagements between Abuja and Ouagadougou played a key role in resolving the situation. The Nigerian government said discussions were conducted through official channels to clarify the circumstances surrounding the flight and to secure the safe return of the personnel.
Burkina Faso has not indicated that the incident was intentional, and there has been no suggestion that the crew posed a security threat. Regional analysts note that heightened sensitivity around airspace violations has become more common in the Sahel, where security concerns and strained regional relations have led to tighter controls.
The release of the Nigerian personnel is being seen as a positive step in maintaining diplomatic ties between the two West African countries, both of which face shared security challenges, including cross-border militancy and instability in the wider Sahel region.
Nigerian authorities said the air force crew have since returned home, bringing the episode to a close.
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