Following the unauthorized flight of a Nigerian military jet into Burkinabè airspace, Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar has formally apologized to the neighboring nation, Burkina Faso.

Yusuf Tuggar, was seen with the 11 Nigerian Air Force personnel who were detained for days after the Nigerian aircraft illegally invaded the airspace of Burkina Faso few days ago.

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The delegation sent by President Tinubu and the Nigerian Air Force personnel are expected to be back in Nigeria any day after the discussion with both states.

“Nigeria continues to prioritise dialogue and regional cohesion in its engagement across West Africa. I led a high-level Nigerian delegation to Burkina Faso on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu @officialABAT to convey his message of solidarity to President Ibrahim Traoré and engage on shared regional priorities,” Yusuf Tuggar said on an X post on Thursday, December 18, 2025 after a meeting diologue.

On 8 December 2025, a Nigerian Air Force C-130 transport aircraft traveling from Lagos to Portugal made a precautionary landing in Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, after experiencing a technical issue mid-flight.

The unauthorized landing triggered a diplomatic standoff between Nigeria and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).

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The AES is a breakaway regional bloc composed of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. Member states characterized the incident as an “unfriendly act” and a “violation of sovereignty”.

Nigerian authorities stressed it was a safety decision in line with international aviation procedures.

Nigeria’s foreign ministry further stated that both nations have committed to maintaining consistent dialogue and implementing concrete steps to strengthen bilateral ties and foster regional unity.

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Nigeria’s Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar with the now released servicemen