By Emmanuel Nduka Obisue
All personnel of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) detained in Burkina Faso have been released, after President Bola Tinubu dispatched a high-powered delegation to junta-led country.
Heritage Times HT reports that the delegation was led Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, to reinforce diplomatic engagement and deepen bilateral relations between both countries.
Ambassador Tuggar delivered President Tinubu’s message of solidarity and fraternity to Burkina Faso’s leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, during talks held in Ouagadougou.
A statement late Wednesday by Alkasim Abdulkadir, Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, noted that the visit underscored Nigeria’s commitment to regional cooperation and good neighbourliness. The statement said discussions focused on political, security and economic cooperation, including coordinated responses to regional security challenges and collaboration within sub-regional frameworks.
“President Traoré welcomed the Nigerian delegation and conveyed his appreciation to President Tinubu for the message of goodwill. He underscored the long-standing ties between Nigeria and Burkina Faso and emphasized the importance of closer collaboration, particularly in addressing shared security and development challenges across the Sahel and the wider West African region,” the statement said.
It added that both governments also amicably resolved the issue concerning Nigerian Air Force pilots and crew, describing the development as a confidence-building outcome that highlighted the effectiveness of dialogue in addressing sensitive matters. The delegation was said to have met with the detained crew, who were reported to be in high spirits.
Ambassador Tuggar reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to sustained engagement with Burkina Faso, noting that Nigeria remains supportive of initiatives aimed at strengthening regional cohesion, peace and economic integration. He reiterated President Tinubu’s readiness to work closely with Burkina Faso to advance stability and development.
Both sides agreed to maintain regular consultations and pursue practical measures to deepen bilateral cooperation and regional integration in line with their shared resolve to promote peace, unity and stability in the sub-region.
Members of the Nigerian delegation included Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed, Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency; Air Vice Marshal A. Y. Abdullahi, Chief of Policy and Plans, Nigerian Air Force; Ambassador Olawale Emmanuel Awe, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to ECOWAS; and Ambassador Wahab Akande, Chief of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
