By Onyeanya Ebere Immaculata
Nigerian soldiers recently released by Burkina Faso have safely arrived at an Air Force base in Accra, Ghana, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, confirmed on Friday.
Tuggar said the personnel landed aboard a Nigerian Air Force C-130 aircraft, noting that their release underscores Nigeria’s commitment to diplomacy and regional cooperation under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership.
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 for Portugal.
Burkina Faso’s military authorities held the crew over alleged airspace violations. Investigations reportedly confirmed the aircraft lacked prior authorisation to enter Burkinabe airspace.
Following diplomatic efforts led by Tuggar in Ouagadougou, the soldiers were released on Wednesday. The Nigerian Air Force stated the crew remained safe and were treated courteously, emphasizing that the landing followed standard safety procedures.
