The Federal Government has confirmed that Nigerian military personnel remain in Burkina Faso days after a Nigerian Air Force aircraft made a forced landing in the West African country.
Foreign Affairs Minister, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, disclosed this while addressing journalists, amid widespread speculation that Burkinabe authorities had detained the officers following the incident.
Though reports of their arrest circulated online, the minister neither confirmed nor dismissed the claims, insisting that diplomatic engagement was ongoing.
Tuggar said Abuja had opened discussions with Burkina Faso’s junta leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, to ensure a swift resolution of what he described as “a delicate matter.”
“We are discussing how we can resolve this delicate matter as quickly as possible, and we’re talking. It is something being handled diplomatically,” he said.
Pressed further on whether the officers were still being held in Burkina Faso, the minister responded plainly: “Yes, they are.”
The government, however, distanced the incident from Nigeria’s role in helping foil the recent coup attempt in neighbouring Benin Republic.
Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle Bakari, earlier clarified that the aircraft’s diversion had no link to Nigeria’s security cooperation with Benin — a position Tuggar affirmed.
According to the minister, the Nigerian Air Force plane was en route to Portugal when it developed a technical fault mid-flight, compelling the pilot to land at the nearest available airport in line with international aviation regulations.
“It was on its way to Portugal and developed a technical problem and was forced to land,” Tuggar explained.
“This is part of ICAO regulations and international law. When you have a problem, you land in the nearest airport — it can happen to anybody.”
He added that any country could find itself in a similar situation.
“Tomorrow, it could be a Burkinabe plane flying to Kenya and forced to land in Kano or Maiduguri. These things happen.”
Tuggar expressed optimism that the matter would be resolved quickly, assuring Nigerians that both countries were working through established diplomatic channels to manage the situation.
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