Nigerian soldiers still in Burkina Faso after forced landing — Minister

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has confirmed that Nigerian soldiers aboard a military aircraft that made a forced landing in Burkina Faso are still in the West African country.

Tuggar spoke on Thursday at the ECOWAS Commission in Abuja during a joint press briefing with his Beninese counterpart, Olushegun Bakari.

On Monday, the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) — a bloc comprising Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger Republic — accused the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) C‑130 aircraft carrying 11 soldiers of violating Burkinabe airspace.

Mali’s junta leader, Assimi Goita, described the incident as “an unfriendly act carried out in defiance of international law.”

The AES said it had authorised member states to neutralise any aircraft violating their airspace.

The development coincided with Nigerian troops conducting air strikes in Benin to help foil a coup attempt.

Responding to questions, Tuggar said discussions were ongoing with Burkina Faso’s junta leader, Ibrahim Traoré, to resolve the matter.

“We are discussing how we can resolve this delicate matter as quickly as possible, and we’re talking. So, it’s something that is being handled diplomatically,” he said.

When asked if the soldiers were still in Burkina Faso, the minister replied: “Yes, they are.”

The Nigerian Air Force explained that the aircraft was on a ferry mission to Portugal when the crew observed a technical issue that required a precautionary landing in Bobo‑Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.

NAF spokesperson, Ehimen Ejodame, said the landing was in line with international aviation protocols.

Bakari clarified that the incident had no connection with Nigeria’s support in foiling the coup in Benin.

Tuggar said the landing complied with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regulations.

Tuggar expressed confidence that the matter would be resolved quickly.

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