Eleven Nigerian soldiers detained in Burkina Faso have been released, according to a confirmation received Wednesday night.

Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told The PUNCH that the release had been verified. “The soldiers have been released. I just confirmed with our Head of Mission in Burkina Faso,” he stated.

However, the exact timing of their return to Nigeria remains uncertain, with travel arrangements still being finalised.

The soldiers were initially held after their aircraft made an emergency landing in Bobo-Dioulasso on December 8th, following a technical fault shortly after takeoff from Lagos en route to Portugal.

Burkinabe military authorities detained both the personnel and the aircraft, alleging a violation of their airspace and a breach of sovereignty. Investigations conducted by the Confederation of Sahel States alongside Burkinabe officials reportedly revealed the aircraft lacked prior flight authorisation for Burkinabe airspace.

President Bola Tinubu responded swiftly to the situation, dispatching a Special Envoy to Ouagadougou for diplomatic talks with Burkinabe authorities.

The Nigerian Air Force had previously assured the public that the crew were safe and were being treated with respect during their detention. They also reiterated that the landing was a precautionary measure taken in line with standard safety procedures and international aviation regulations.

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