Accra, Ghana – Nigerian soldiers detained in Burkina Faso following an unscheduled landing have safely arrived in Ghana. The crew of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) C-130, which had been held by Burkina Faso authorities since December 8, landed at an Air Force base in Accra on Friday evening.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, confirmed the arrival of the personnel aboard a Nigerian Air Force aircraft. “I can confirm that the pilots and crew of NAF C-130 (913) have safely arrived at the Air Force Base in Accra,” Tuggar said in a post on X.
The soldiers were detained after their aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, due to a technical issue. The plane had been en route from Lagos to Portugal when it entered Burkinabe airspace without prior authorization. Burkina Faso authorities described the landing as a violation of their sovereignty, leading to the soldiers’ detention.
The Nigerian government responded with a diplomatic mission, with Tuggar visiting Ouagadougou to negotiate the soldiers’ release. After days of discussions, the soldiers were cleared for departure.
The Nigerian Air Force assured that the crew had been treated with respect during their detention and had followed international safety protocols for the precautionary landing. Tuggar praised the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, stating that the successful resolution of the issue highlighted Nigeria’s commitment to diplomacy and regional cooperation.
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