Nigeria has apologised to Burkina Faso over the unauthorised landing of a Nigerian military jet in Burkinabè airspace, an incident that triggered diplomatic tensions and the brief detention of 11 Nigerian servicemen.
The apology was delivered by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, during a visit to Ouagadougou, where he met Burkina Faso’s military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, to address the fallout from the incident.
“There were irregularities concerning the overflight authorisations, which was regrettable, and we apologise for this unfortunate incident,” Tuggar said in remarks broadcast on national television.
A spokesperson for the foreign minister told the BBC that the detained Nigerian personnel had since been released and were preparing to return home, although no date was given.
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The Nigerian Air Force said the aircraft was en route to Portugal when it developed a technical problem that forced it to land in Burkina Faso. The landing, however, took place without the required authorisation, prompting concern from Burkinabè authorities.
The incident drew a sharp response from the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), comprising Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. In a statement, the bloc described the landing as an “unfriendly act” and said member states had placed their air forces on maximum alert, with approval to “neutralise any aircraft” that violated AES airspace.
Nigeria’s foreign ministry said talks in Ouagadougou ended on a conciliatory note, with both countries agreeing to “sustain regular consultations and pursue practical measures to deepen bilateral cooperation and regional integration”.
It remains unclear when the aircraft involved, as well as the servicemen described as being in “high spirits”, will return to Nigeria.