The Federal Government has deployed a high-powered delegation to Burkina Faso to engage the country’s authorities over the continued detention of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) pilots and crew.

The delegation, which includes senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defence and NAF Headquarters, is led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar. The team is currently in Ouagadougou for diplomatic engagements with the Burkinabè leadership, including a scheduled meeting with President Ibrahim Traoré.

A senior government official familiar with the mission disclosed that the visit is aimed at promoting dialogue, easing tensions and securing the release of the detained NAF personnel, who have been in custody for nine days.

According to the source, the delegation is also conveying Nigeria’s commitment to peaceful engagement, regional security cooperation and strict adherence to international aviation and military protocols.

“The visit underscores Nigeria’s preference for diplomacy and good neighbourliness. It is a confidence-building mission designed to foster mutual understanding and reaffirm shared responsibilities in tackling the complex security challenges confronting the Sahel,” the official said.

The source further noted that Nigeria and Burkina Faso—alongside other members of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES)—share a long-standing history of cooperation in security, training and regional stabilisation, particularly in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism.

The Nigerian delegation is expected to stress the importance of sustained dialogue, respect for international norms and regional solidarity as critical pillars for peace and stability in West Africa.

Officials expressed optimism that the engagement would result in a peaceful resolution of the matter, strengthen bilateral relations and reinforce collective efforts to enhance security across the region.