By Titilope Adako

Burkina Faso has released a Nigerian Air Force C-130 aircraft and 11 personnel who had been detained for two weeks following a precautionary landing in the country.

The aircraft, on a ferry mission to Portugal, made a force landing in Bobo Dioulasso due to technical issues, the Nigerian Air Force’s Director of Public Relations, Ehimen Ejodame, explained. He said the crew landed at the nearest airfield in line with international aviation safety protocols.

The junta leader of Mali, Assimi Goita, speaking for the Confederation of Sahel States, described the landing as an “unfriendly act carried out in defiance of international law” and warned that any aircraft violating Sahel airspace would be neutralised.

The Nigerian government later confirmed the release of the aircraft and personnel, following a meeting in Ouagadougou between a Nigerian delegation led by Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar and Burkina Faso junta leader Ibrahim Traoré.

Speaking on Wednesday night, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa confirmed, “Yes, they have been released.”

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