Burkina Faso has released 11 Nigerian soldiers and a Nigerian Air Force aircraft, 10 days after they were detained following an emergency landing in the Sahel country.
Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson for Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed the development on Wednesday evening.
"They have been released. I just confirmed with our Head of Mission in Burkina Faso," Ebienfa said.
It is not yet clear when the soldiers and the aircraft will return to Nigeria, as travel arrangements are still being finalized.
The military personnel were detained after their Nigerian Air Force C-130 aircraft made an unscheduled landing in Bobo-Dioulasso on December 8 due to a technical issue shortly after departing Lagos for Portugal.
Burkina Faso initially held the aircraft and its crew over alleged airspace violations, describing the incident as a breach of national sovereignty. Investigations by the Confederation of Sahel States and Burkinabe officials reportedly found that the aircraft had not obtained prior authorization to enter Burkinabe airspace.
Following several days of diplomatic discussions, President Bola Tinubu sent a Special Envoy to Ouagadougou to negotiate with Burkinabe authorities.
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