Burkina Faso has released a Nigerian Air Force aircraft and 11 military personnel who were detained earlier this month after the aircraft made a forced landing in the country.
The Federal Government confirmed the development on Wednesday night through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A spokesperson said the release followed diplomatic engagements between both countries.
The release came after a high-level meeting between Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, and Burkina Faso’s junta leader, Ibrahim Traoré.
Tuggar led a delegation to Ouagadougou at the instance of President Bola Tinubu to secure the release of the personnel and aircraft.
The aircraft, a C-130 Transport, and crew were detained on December 8, after a precautionary landing reportedly caused by technical issues while en route to Europe.
Nigerian authorities maintained that the landing complied with international aviation procedures, while Burkina Faso initially raised concerns over the aircraft’s entry.
The release brings an end to a brief diplomatic standoff between the two West African neighbours.
