Nigeria’s diplomatic shuttle has paid off, as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, on Wednesday met with the 11 Nigerian Air Force (NAF) personnel briefly detained in Burkina Faso following an emergency aircraft landing, shortly after securing their release from the country’s military ruler, Captain Ibrahim Traoré.
The meeting came at the tail end of a high-level intervention mandated by President Tinibu, who had dispatched a special delegation to Ouagadougou to resolve the incident through dialogue and reaffirm Nigeria’s commitment to neighbourly relations.
The NAF personnel, comprising pilots and crew members, were detained after their aircraft made an unscheduled emergency landing a few days ago, triggering diplomatic engagements between Abuja and Ouagadougou.
Sources said Tuggar personally reassured the airmen during the meeting, commending their professionalism and resilience while conveying the Federal Government’s appreciation for their service and patience during the episode.
With tensions eased and mutual understanding restored, both the presidential delegation and the 11 NAF personnel are expected to return to Nigeria today (Thursday).
The successful resolution underscores Abuja’s preference for diplomacy over confrontation and highlights Nigeria’s continued emphasis on regional solidarity and constructive engagement, even amid complex security and aviation challenges in the Sahel.
 personnel briefly){kind=link}