Nigeria Engages Burkina Faso Over Detained NAF Crew

By Ademola Adekusibe
17th December 2025

Nigeria has opened direct diplomatic engagement with Burkina Faso following the detention of Nigerian Air Force pilots and crew, sending a senior government delegation to Ouagadougou to seek a resolution.

The delegation is led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, and includes top officials from the Ministry of Defence and the Nigerian Air Force Headquarters. Talks are expected to involve Burkina Faso’s political and military leadership, including President Ibrahim Traoré.

A senior government source said the mission is focused on easing tensions and securing the release of the NAF personnel, who have been in detention for nine days. The delegation is also expected to clarify the circumstances surrounding the incident and reaffirm Nigeria’s adherence to international aviation and military procedures.

According to the source, Abuja is emphasising diplomacy, dialogue and neighbourly relations as the preferred approach to resolving the matter.

The engagement is also aimed at reinforcing long-standing security cooperation between Nigeria and Burkina Faso, particularly in counterterrorism efforts across the Sahel, where both countries face similar threats.

Officials expressed hope that the talks would result in a peaceful outcome and further strengthen regional collaboration on security and stability in West Africa.