Burkina Faso Releases 11 Nigerian Soldiers, Detained Air Force Aircraft
Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Federal Government confirms that Burkina Faso authorities have released 11 Nigerian soldiers and a Nigerian Air Force aircraft after ten days of detention following an emergency landing in the West African country.
The confirmation comes late Wednesday from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ending days of diplomatic negotiations sparked by the unscheduled landing of a Nigerian Air Force C-130 aircraft in Bobo-Dioulasso.
Spokesperson for the ministry, Kimiebi Ebienfa, confirmed to newsmen in Abuja that Nigeria’s diplomatic mission in Burkina Faso verifies the development. “They have been released. I just confirmed with our Head of Mission in Burkina Faso,” Ebienfa says.
However, Nigerian authorities say details regarding the return of the soldiers and aircraft to Nigeria remain unclear, as logistical and travel arrangements are yet to be finalised.
The soldiers are detained on 8 December after the aircraft makes an emergency landing shortly after departing Lagos en route to Portugal, reportedly due to a technical fault.
Burkinabe authorities initially held the aircraft and its crew over alleged airspace violations, describing the incident as a breach of national sovereignty. Subsequent investigations by officials of the Confederation of Sahel States and Burkina Faso reportedly conclude that the aircraft enters Burkinabe airspace without prior authorisation.
Earlier on Wednesday, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar arrived in Ouagadougou as the President’s Special Envoy, reinforcing efforts already led by Nigeria’s Chargé d’Affaires in Burkina Faso. “The Chargé d’Affaires has been engaging the host government, alongside the high-level intervention authorised by Mr President,” Ebienfa says earlier. “We are optimistic that the matter will be resolved soonest.”
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Oluwatobi Adu 
Koko Maxwella 