The eleven Nigerian military personnel, including two pilots and nine officers, who were detained earlier this week in Burkina Faso, remain in custody, Naijaonpoint has learnt.
Confirming the continued detention, Mali’s Minister of Security and Civil Protection, Daoud Aly Mohammedine, told the BBC that investigations were ongoing and would be concluded before any further decisions were made.
He added, “On the instructions of the Heads of State, the air and anti-aircraft defence of the Confederate airspace has been placed on maximum alert. In line with the declaration of the College of Heads of State dated December 22, 2024, it is now authorized to neutralize any aircraft that violates the confederate airspace.”
Meanwhile, Nigerian authorities say they are intensifying diplomatic efforts to secure the release of the detained personnel and the return of the Nigerian Air Force C-130 military aircraft.
Naijaonpoint reports that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman, Kimiebi Ebienfa, in an interaction with journalists, said discussions had begun between Nigeria and Burkina Faso.
“The objective is to secure the release of the crew and the return of the aircraft. For us, the diplomatic route is the priority. Discussions are ongoing, but we have never had a date for a resolution,” Ebienfa said.
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