The Federal Government has dispatched a high-powered delegation to Burkina Faso to engage the country’s leadership over the continued detention of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) pilots and crew.
The delegation, made up of senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defence, and the Nigerian Air Force Headquarters, is being led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar. The team is currently in Ouagadougou for what officials described as peaceful and constructive engagements with the Burkinabè authorities, including a scheduled meeting with President Ibrahim Traoré.
A senior official familiar with the mission told Zagazola Makama that the visit was aimed at fostering mutual understanding between both countries, de-escalating tensions, and securing the release of the detained NAF personnel, who have been in custody for nine days.
According to the source, the delegation is also conveying Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to regional security cooperation, dialogue, and strict adherence to international aviation and military protocols.
“The mission illustrates Nigeria’s preference for diplomacy and neighbourly engagement. It is a confidence-building visit intended to strengthen mutual trust and reaffirm shared responsibilities in addressing the complex security challenges facing the Sahel,” the official said.
The source further noted that Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and other members of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) share a long-standing history of collaboration in security cooperation, training, and regional stabilisation efforts, particularly in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism.
The delegation is expected to stress Nigeria’s position that sustained dialogue, respect for international norms, and regional solidarity remain critical to peace and stability in West Africa.
Officials expressed optimism that the engagement would lead to a peaceful resolution of the issue, deepen bilateral understanding, and reinforce collective efforts to promote security across the region.
