By ZAGAZOLA MAKAMA

Burkina Faso has released 11 Nigerian Air Force (NAF) pilots and crew members nine days after their detention, following high-level diplomatic intervention by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The release came shortly after a Nigerian delegation led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, concluded engagements with the Burkinabè authorities in Ouagadougou, including talks with President Ibrahim Traoré.

The delegation comprised senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defence and the NAF Headquarters, and was mandated to pursue a peaceful and constructive resolution to the matter through dialogue.

A senior official familiar with the mission told Zagazola Makama that the engagement was aimed at fostering mutual understanding, de-escalating tensions and securing the release of the detained NAF personnel, while reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to regional cooperation and adherence to international aviation and military protocols.

“The mission point to Nigeria’s preference for diplomacy and neighbourly engagement. It was a confidence-building visit designed to strengthen trust and reaffirm shared responsibilities in addressing the complex security challenges confronting the Sahel,” the source said.

According to the official, the Nigerian delegation also conveyed Abuja’s enduring commitment to regional security collaboration, dialogue and respect for international norms, noting the long-standing history of cooperation between Nigeria, Burkina Faso and other members of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).

Nigeria and Burkina Faso have traditionally collaborated in security training, intelligence sharing and regional stabilisation efforts, particularly in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism across West Africa.

Officials expressed optimism that the successful resolution of the incident would deepen bilateral understanding and reinforce collective efforts to promote peace, stability and security in the region. (Zagazola)