The Nigerian Federal Government has confirmed the release of the Nigerian Air Force aircraft and 11 personnel detained in Burkina Faso after a reported forced landing.
Confirming the development on Wednesday night, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Kimiebi Ebienfa, said the aircraft and personnel had been released. “Yes, they have been released,” he was quoted in the statement.
The confirmation came after the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Yusuf Tuggar, on Wednesday, met with the Burkinabe military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, in Ouagadougou. Tuggar, who led a Nigerian delegation, said during a press briefing that the visit was at the instance of President Bola Tinubu.
The incident occurred nearly two weeks ago when a Nigerian Air Force C-130 aircraft, with 11 personnel on board, made a forced landing in Bobo Dioulasso while on a ferry mission to Portugal.
Director of Public Relations of the Nigerian Air Force, Mr Ehimen Ejodame, had explained that the crew observed a technical issue and carried out a precautionary landing at the nearest airfield, in line with international aviation protocols.
However, Mali junta leader, Mr Assimi Goita, speaking on behalf of the Confederation of Sahel States, had described the landing as an “unfriendly act carried out in defiance of international law,” warning that member states were authorised to neutralise aircraft violating their airspace. The Nigerian delegation in a meeting with Captain Ibrahim Traore of Burkina Faso.
