The Federal Government has confirmed that a Nigerian Air Force C-130 aircraft and 11 soldiers, previously detained in Burkina Faso following a forced landing, have been released.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, announced the development on Wednesday night, saying simply: “Yes, they have been released.”

The release follows a diplomatic visit by Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar to Ouagadougou, where he met with Burkina Faso junta leader Ibrahim Traoré. Tuggar led the Nigerian delegation at the direction of President Bola Tinubu.

The incident occurred nearly two weeks ago when the Nigerian aircraft, carrying 11 soldiers on a ferry mission to Portugal, made a precautionary landing in Bobo Dioulasso due to a technical issue, in line with international aviation protocols.

Despite the adherence to safety procedures, Mali junta leader Assimi Goita, representing the Confederation of Sahel States, criticized the landing as an “unfriendly act” and warned that member states were authorized to neutralize aircraft violating their airspace.

The Nigerian Air Force Director of Public Relations, Ehimen Ejodame, confirmed the landing was a technical precaution and not a breach of protocol.