Burkina Faso has released 11 Nigerian Air Force personnel and their C-130 aircraft, ending a nearly two-week diplomatic standoff triggered by the plane’s emergency landing in the country.

The release was confirmed shortly after Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, concluded a meeting with Burkina Faso’s President, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, on Wednesday in Ouagadougou.

Tuggar, acting as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s special envoy, delivered a message of solidarity and fraternity while addressing the incident involving the aircraft, which made a precautionary landing in Bobo-Dioulasso on December 8 due to technical issues en route to Portugal.

A statement from Alkasim Abdulkadir, spokesperson for Tuggar, described the resolution as amicable, noting that both nations resolved concerns over the Nigerian Air Force pilots and crew through constructive dialogue.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs later confirmed the release of both the personnel and the aircraft, emphasizing sustained diplomatic engagement at the highest levels.

The incident had initially raised tensions, with Burkina Faso citing procedural irregularities in airspace authorization. Nigeria expressed regret over the matter while reaffirming respect for Burkina Faso’s sovereignty.

Officials on both sides highlighted the spirit of fraternity, with Tuggar praising the treatment accorded to the crew during their stay. Discussions also touched on broader cooperation in security and counter-terrorism.

The swift resolution underscores ongoing efforts to maintain neighborly relations amid regional challenges, with the personnel expected to return home imminently.

In a high-level diplomatic engagement, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, met with Burkina Faso’s President, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, on Wednesday to deliver a personal message of solidarity and fraternity from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The meeting, held in the Burkinabè capital, focused on strengthening bilateral ties and addressing shared regional challenges, particularly in security and counter-terrorism efforts.

Sources confirm that the visit paved the way for the swift release of 11 Nigerian Air Force personnel and their aircraft, which had been detained following an emergency landing earlier this month.

Tuggar emphasized the longstanding historical bonds between the two nations, stating after the audience: “We exchanged views on cooperation in several sectors, including the fight against terrorism. Nigeria remains committed to sustained dialogue and enhanced regional solidarity to tackle common threats.

“A key point of discussion was the recent incident involving a Nigerian C-130 aircraft that made a precautionary landing in Bobo-Dioulasso due to technical issues.

Tuggar acknowledged procedural irregularities in the airspace authorization process, expressing Nigeria’s regret and reaffirming respect for Burkina Faso’s sovereignty and international aviation norms.

The minister also distanced the Nigerian government from controversial remarks by a domestic political figure alleging mistreatment of the detained personnel, declaring: “We clearly dissociate ourselves from those comments and express our sincere regrets to the government of Burkina Faso.

“Tuggar praised President Traoré’s administration for the “spirit of fraternity” shown toward the Nigerian crew during their stay, noting Burkina Faso’s recent successes in counter-terrorism operations.

The resolution underscores Nigeria’s preference for diplomacy in resolving regional misunderstandings, with officials highlighting ongoing collaboration despite broader sub-regional tensions.

The released personnel are expected to return home shortly, marking a positive step in Nigeria-Burkina Faso relations.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has forwarded to the Nigerian Senate the nominations of two seasoned oil and gas professionals to head the nation’s key petroleum regulatory agencies, following the resignations of the incumbent chief executives.

In a letter to the Senate, the President requested the expeditious confirmation of Engr. Saidu Aliyu Mohammed as the new Authority Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and Ms. Oritsemeyiwa Amanorisewo Eyesan as Commission Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

The nominations come after the resignations of Engr. Farouk Ahmed from the NMDPRA and Engr. Gbenga Komolafe from the NUPRC. Both outgoing CEOs were originally appointed in 2021 by former President Muhammadu Buhari under the framework of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which established the two independent regulatory bodies.

President Tinubu described the nominees as “seasoned professionals in the oil and gas industry” well-equipped to drive reforms and efficiency in the sector.

**Profile of Nominees:**

– **Oritsemeyiwa Amanorisewo Eyesan (NUPRC CEO Nominee):

** A University of Benin Economics graduate, Eyesan brings nearly 33 years of experience from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) and its subsidiaries.

She retired in 2024 as Executive Vice President, Upstream, after serving as Group General Manager, Corporate Planning and Strategy from 2019 to 2023.

– **Engr. Saidu Aliyu Mohammed (NMDPRA CEO Nominee):

** Born in 1957 in Gombe State, Mohammed holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Ahmadu Bello University (1981). His extensive career includes roles as Managing Director of Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company and Nigerian Gas Company.

He has also chaired boards of the West African Gas Pipeline Company and Nigeria LNG subsidiaries. More recently, he served as Group Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer for Gas & Power at NNPC, leading strategic initiatives such as the Gas Masterplan, Gas Network Code, and key contributions to the PIA.

Mohammed played instrumental roles in major infrastructure projects, including the Escravos–Lagos Pipeline Expansion, Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline, and Nigeria LNG Train expansions. He was recently announced as an independent non-executive director at Seplat Energy.

The reshuffle is seen as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen regulatory oversight and promote investment in Nigeria’s petroleum sector amid evolving industry dynamics.