A former senator representing Ekiti North, Ayodele Arise, has urged the Federal Government to consider military action, alongside diplomatic efforts, to secure the release of Nigerian soldiers detained in Burkina Faso.
Arise made the call on Saturday during an appearance on Arise Television, arguing that Nigeria must project strength in handling security-related disputes with neighbouring countries.
He said a firm posture, including the readiness to deploy military force if necessary, could pressure Burkina Faso’s authorities to reconsider their stance.
According to him, Nigeria should not allow any neighbouring country to undermine its sovereignty.
While acknowledging that the Nigerian Armed Forces are currently stretched by insurgency and banditry at home, Arise insisted that the country must still assert itself regionally.
“Yes, we should be friendly with our neighbours, but at the same time we should let them know that they can’t be messing with our country,” he said.
The former lawmaker referenced Israel’s 1976 Entebbe Raid in Uganda as an example of decisive military action that forced a host country to change its position, noting that the mere signal of preparedness could be enough to achieve results.
Arise’s remarks followed confirmation by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, that the 11 Nigerian military personnel detained in Burkina Faso remain in custody.
Tuggar disclosed this on Friday while speaking to journalists at the ECOWAS Commission in Abuja, stressing that the matter was being handled through diplomatic channels.
“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,” the minister said.
He also dismissed reports linking the detained soldiers to Nigeria’s recent military intervention in the Republic of Benin, clarifying that the Nigerian Air Force C-130 aircraft involved had no connection to any rescue mission or coup-related operation.
Burkina Faso’s Minister of Territorial Administration, Emile Zerbo, had earlier claimed that the aircraft violated national procedures by entering the country’s airspace without authorisation, a claim Nigerian officials have disputed.
Beyond the regional security issue, Arise also commented on domestic legislative practices, criticising the Senate’s use of the “take-a-bow-and-go” approach during the screening of ambassadorial nominees.
While noting that the practice is not unlawful, he said it deprives lawmakers and the public of the opportunity to properly assess nominees for sensitive diplomatic roles.
He added that more rigorous screening would strengthen public confidence in governance and foreign policy decisions.
The detention of the Nigerian soldiers has continued to generate public debate, with calls mounting for the Federal Government to secure their release swiftly amid ongoing diplomatic engagements.
