Eleven Nigerian soldiers who were held by military authorities in Burkina Faso have been released, 10 days after their detention.
The confirmation came late Wednesday from the spokesperson of Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, who said Nigeria’s Head of Mission in Burkina Faso verified the development.
However, the timeline for the soldiers’ return to Nigeria remains uncertain, as their travel arrangements have yet to be concluded.
The soldiers were detained after the aircraft conveying them made an unscheduled landing in Bobo-Dioulasso on December 8. The diversion was reportedly caused by a technical fault shortly after the plane departed Lagos on its way to Portugal.
Burkinabe authorities seized the aircraft and detained the personnel, citing alleged violation of national airspace and describing the incident as an infringement on the country’s sovereignty. Investigations involving officials of the Confederation of Sahel States reportedly found that the aircraft lacked the required authorisation to enter Burkinabe airspace.
Following days of diplomatic engagements, Bola Tinubu intervened by dispatching a Special Envoy to Ouagadougou, paving the way for the soldiers’ eventual release.
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