Burkina Faso has released 11 Nigerian Air Force (NAF) pilots and crew members nine days after their detention in the West African country.

The release followed high-level diplomatic intervention by the federal government of Nigeria.

The pilots were freed shortly after a Nigerian delegation led by the minister of foreign affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, =concluded engagements with Burkinabè authorities in Ouagadougou.

The delegation also held talks with President Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso.

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Senior officials from the ministries of foreign affairs and defence, as well as the NAF headquarters, were part of the delegation.

The delegation was mandated to pursue a peaceful and constructive resolution of the matter through dialogue.

A senior official familiar with the mission said the engagement aimed to foster mutual understanding, de-escalate tensions and secure the release of the detained personnel.

“The mission points to Nigeria’s preference for diplomacy and neighbourly engagement. It was a confidence-building visit designed to strengthen trust and reaffirm shared responsibilities in addressing the complex security challenges confronting the Sahel,” the official stated.

The source said the delegation reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional cooperation and adherence to international aviation and military protocols.

According to the official, Nigeria also conveyed its commitment to regional security collaboration, dialogue and respect for international norms.

The source noted the long-standing history of cooperation between Nigeria, Burkina Faso and other members of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).