African Solidarity and Regional Cooperation Prevail as Traoré Receives Tinubu’s Envoy, Resolves Detention of Nigerian Air Force Crew. By Raymond Enoch

The Military Head of State of Burkina Faso, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, on Wednesday received a high-level Nigerian delegation dispatched by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, reaffirming the shared commitment of both countries to strengthening bilateral relations, regional integration, and collective security in West Africa.
In a statement signed by Alkasim Abdulkadir, Special Assistant on Media to the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, it was confirmed that the delegation, led by Ambassador Tuggar, delivered a message of solidarity, fraternity, and goodwill from President Tinubu during talks held in Ouagadougou. The discussions centred on advancing political, security, and economic cooperation, with particular emphasis on coordinated responses to prevailing regional security challenges across the Sahel and the wider West African sub-region.
The statement noted that, in a demonstration of constructive diplomacy and mutual confidence, both governments amicably resolved the issue concerning the detained Nigerian Air Force pilots and crew, underscoring the effectiveness of dialogue and diplomatic engagement in addressing sensitive bilateral matters. Members of the Nigerian delegation later met with the crew, who were reported to be in high spirits.
President Traoré welcomed the Nigerian delegation and conveyed his appreciation to President Tinubu for the message of goodwill. He highlighted the historic ties between Nigeria and Burkina Faso and emphasized the importance of closer collaboration, particularly in addressing shared security and development challenges across the Sahel and the wider West African region.
Ambassador Tuggar reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to good neighbourliness and sustained engagement with Burkina Faso, noting that Nigeria remains firmly supportive of initiatives aimed at strengthening regional cohesion, peace, and economic integration. He reiterated President Tinubu’s readiness to work closely with Burkina Faso in advancing stability, unity, and development across the region.
Both sides agreed to sustain regular consultations and pursue practical measures to deepen bilateral cooperation and strengthen regional integration through existing sub-regional frameworks.
Members of the Nigerian delegation included Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed, Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency; Air Vice Marshal A. Y. Abdullahi, Chief of Policy and Plans, Nigerian Air Force; Ambassador Olawale Emmanuel Awe, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to ECOWAS; and Ambassador Wahab Akande, Chief of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Disclosing the final outcome, the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, stated that the Nigerian military aircraft and its eleven crew members departed Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, shortly before the statement was issued. He confirmed that the aircraft has landed in Accra, Ghana, for a technical stopover and is scheduled to proceed to Portugal the following day as planned. Mr. Ebienfa commended the Embassy of Nigeria in Burkina Faso and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja for their professionalism and effective diplomatic engagement.