Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, on Wednesday paid a visit to the President of Burkina Faso, Capt. Ibrahim Traoré, after securing the release of the 11 Air force personnel on the seized military aircraft.
AbaCityBlog reports that a Nigerian military aircraft which made an emergency landing in Burkina Faso has been grounded by the country’s authority, thereby detaining the 11 Air force personnel who were onboard the aircraft.
Following the incident, Tuggar paid a visit to Burkina Faso. The foreign Minister delivered a message to 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.
