Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, on Wednesday met with Ibrahim Traoré, the leader of Burkina Faso’s junta, in the country’s capital, Ouagadougou.
The meeting was part of a diplomatic mission initiated by President Bola Tinubu to resolve the ongoing situation involving 11 Nigerian soldiers stranded in Burkina Faso following a forced aircraft landing.
The soldiers were aboard a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) C-130 aircraft on a ferry mission to Portugal when a technical concern arose. Ehimen Ejodame, NAF’s Director of Public Relations, explained that the crew carried out a precautionary landing at the nearest airfield in Bobo-Dioulasso in accordance with standard safety procedures and international aviation protocols.
However, Assimi Goita, leader of the Mali junta, described the landing as an “unfriendly act carried out in defiance of international law.” Goita, speaking on behalf of the Confederation of Sahel States (AES), said the AES authorised member states to neutralise any aircraft violating its airspace.
In a press briefing, Tuggar confirmed ongoing discussions with Traoré, stating, “We are discussing how we can resolve this delicate matter as quickly as possible, and we’re talking. So it’s something that is being handled diplomatically.”
Reports suggested that Burkinabe authorities released the soldiers following the meeting, though Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had not immediately confirmed the development when contacted by TheCable.
The diplomatic engagement highlights Nigeria’s commitment to resolving international incidents involving its personnel through dialogue and adherence to aviation safety standards.
