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Burkina Faso Releases 11 Detained Nigerian Air Force Personnel Following High-Level Diplomacy

In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, Burkina Faso has released the 11 Nigerian Air Force pilots and crew members who were detained for nine days following the forced landing of their military aircraft.

The release occurred shortly after a high-level Nigerian delegation, led by Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, concluded intensive talks with Burkinabè authorities, including a meeting with President Ibrahim Traoré in Ouagadougou.

A Mission of Diplomacy and De-escalation

The Nigerian delegation, which included senior officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defence as well as the Nigerian Air Force, was specifically mandated by President Bola Tinubu to seek a peaceful resolution. A senior official familiar with the mission stated that the engagement aimed to "foster mutual understanding, de-escalate tensions and secure the release of the detained personnel."

The official framed the successful outcome as a testament to "Nigeria’s preference for diplomacy and neighbourly engagement," describing the visit as a "confidence-building" effort designed to strengthen trust and reaffirm shared responsibilities in tackling the complex security challenges in the Sahel region.

**Reaffirming Regional Cooperation**
During the talks, the Nigerian delegation reaffirmed the country's commitment to regional security collaboration, dialogue, and adherence to international aviation and military protocols. The official highlighted the "long-standing history of cooperation" between Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and other members of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) in the fight against terrorism.

The release of the personnel marks a positive step in managing a delicate bilateral incident and underscores the importance of sustained diplomatic channels in maintaining regional stability.

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