Photo caption: Army personnel keep watch along a street during a curfew imposed to restore law and order in Kathmandu on September 12, 2025. The army has imposed a curfew in the Himalayan nation of 30 million people, with soldiers patrolling the largely quiet streets after the worst violence in two decades. (Photo by Arun SANKAR / AFP)
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has confirmed that Nigerian soldiers recently released by Burkina Faso authorities have arrived safely at an Air Force base in Accra, Ghana.
Tuggar announced the development in a post on X on Friday evening, saying the personnel landed aboard a Nigerian Air Force aircraft.
“I can confirm that the pilots and crew of NAF C-130 (913) have safely arrived at the Air Force Base in Accra,” the minister wrote.
He added that the development underscored Nigeria’s diplomatic approach to resolving sensitive regional issues.
“The successful outcome reflects Nigeria’s commitment to diplomacy, regional cooperation, and the leadership of @NGRPresident Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR @officialABAT, in resolving sensitive matters through dialogue,” Tuggar said.
The soldiers were detained after their aircraft made an unscheduled landing in Bobo-Dioulasso on December 8 due to a technical issue shortly after departing Lagos en route to Portugal.
Burkina Faso’s military authorities held the personnel and aircraft over alleged airspace violations, describing the incident as a breach of sovereignty.
Investigations by the Confederation of Sahel States and Burkinabe officials reportedly showed that the aircraft did not have prior authorisation to enter Burkinabe airspace.
After several days of diplomatic negotiations, President Bola Tinubu sent a team led by Tuggar to Ouagadougou to engage with Burkinabe authorities.
On Wednesday night, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, confirmed the release of the soldiers to The PUNCH.
“The soldiers have been released. I just confirmed with our Head of Mission in Burkina Faso,” he said.
The Nigerian Air Force assured that the crew remained safe and were treated courteously during their detention. It also emphasised that the precautionary landing was carried out in accordance with standard safety procedures and international aviation protocols.
