One of the eleven Nigerian Air Force (NAF) personnel currently being held in Burkina Faso has shed light on the circumstances that led to their presence in the country, confirming that their aircraft was forced to make an unscheduled landing due to a technical malfunction.
According to the officer, the aircraft developed a fault while in flight, making it unsafe to continue the journey. As a precautionary measure, the crew carried out an emergency landing in Burkina Faso to prevent any potential incident. He further disclosed that the technical issue has since been resolved, and the aircraft is now fit for continued operations.
The clarification came during a meeting with Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, who visited the detained personnel as part of ongoing diplomatic engagements. During the interaction, Tuggar delivered a personal message from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, reassuring the airmen of the federal government’s commitment to their safety and swift resolution of the situation.
The minister also revealed that Burkina Faso’s military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, had expressed goodwill toward Nigeria by offering technical support to assist with the situation if required. This gesture, according to Tuggar, reflects a willingness on the part of the Burkinabè authorities to cooperate with Nigeria in resolving the matter amicably.
The development comes amid intensified diplomatic discussions between Nigeria and Burkina Faso, with efforts focused on ensuring the welfare, safety, and prompt release of the detained Nigerian Air Force personnel. Officials on both sides are reportedly working through diplomatic channels to de-escalate the situation and strengthen mutual understanding between the two countries.
The Nigerian government has continued to emphasize dialogue and cooperation, expressing confidence that the matter will be resolved in a manner that upholds regional security cooperation and the longstanding ties between both West African nations.
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