Nigeria has formally apologized to Burkina Faso following the unauthorized entry of a Nigerian military aircraft into Burkinabè airspace an incident that led to the temporary detention of 11 Nigerian servicemen.
Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, conveyed the apology during a visit to Ouagadougou, where he led a delegation to meet Burkina Faso’s military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré.
Tuggar acknowledged that there were lapses in the required overflight authorizations, describing the situation as regrettable.
A spokesperson for the minister confirmed that the detained personnel have since been released and are expected to return to Nigeria, though no specific timeline was given.
The Nigerian Air Force explained that the aircraft, which was en route to Portugal, was forced to land in Burkina Faso after developing a technical fault.
The incident sparked diplomatic tension with the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) a bloc comprising Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger which described the landing as an unfriendly act.
The alliance said its member states had placed their air forces on high alert and authorised action against any aircraft found violating their airspace.
The AES countries, all under military rule, have withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and strengthened ties with Russia, while most ECOWAS members maintain close relations with Western allies.
Speaking on national television, Tuggar said Nigeria regretted the irregularities surrounding the aircraft’s entry and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to maintaining good relations with its neighbours.
Nigeria’s foreign ministry added that both countries agreed to sustain regular consultations and explore practical steps to deepen bilateral cooperation and regional integration.
It remains unclear when the aircraft involved will be cleared to return to Nigeria.
