Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has confirmed that the Nigerian military personnel detained in Burkina Faso after a forced landing earlier this week remain in custody.
Mr Tuggar disclosed this on Thursday at the ECOWAS Commission headquarters in Abuja during a joint press conference with Benin’s Foreign Minister, Olushegun Bakari.
The Confederation of Sahel States (AES) comprising Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger Republic had on Monday accused a Nigerian Air Force C-130 transport aircraft, which was carrying 11 soldiers, of violating Burkinabe airspace.
However, the Nigerian government rejected the claim, insisting the aircraft complied fully with all established flight procedures.
Providing an update on the diplomatic situation, the foreign affairs minister said Abuja is engaging with Burkina Faso’s military ruler, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, to resolve the matter.
“We are discussing how we can resolve this delicate matter as quickly as possible, and we’re talking. So, it’s something that is being handled diplomatically,” Mr Tuggar said.
When asked specifically if the detained soldiers were still being held, the minister replied: “Yes, they are.”
Diplomatic negotiations are ongoing.
