Gov’t welcomes Nigerian aircraft crew detained in Burkina Faso over airspace violation

The Government of Ghana has welcomed a Nigerian aircraft and its crew after their detention in Burkina Faso over an alleged airspace violation.

The aircraft and aircrew were received in Ghana by the President’s Special Envoy for the Sahel, Col. Larry Gbevlo Lartey, following diplomatic engagements involving Ghana, Nigeria and Burkina Faso.

The release marks the end of a tense episode that raised concerns about aviation safety and diplomatic relations within the West African subregion.

According to the Presidency, the aircraft had been detained by Burkinabe authorities after it was alleged to have violated Burkina Faso’s airspace.

The matter was subsequently addressed through diplomatic channels, leading to the decision to free both the aircraft and its crew.

Welcoming the aircrew on behalf of the President, Col. Gbevlo Lartey praised the governments involved for choosing dialogue over escalation.

He described the resolution as a reflection of shared values and long-standing ties among West African states.

Government sources say the intervention underscores Ghana’s commitment to diplomacy and regional stability, particularly at a time when the Sahel continues to face security and political pressures.

Officials also note that the swift resolution helped to prevent the issue from affecting broader bilateral and multilateral relations.

Following their release, the Nigerian crew will remain in Ghana temporarily to rest and carry out the necessary technical checks on the aircraft. Clearance is also being awaited to allow the aircraft to proceed to Portugal, where it is scheduled to undergo servicing.

The government believes the development sends a positive signal to the international aviation community about the effectiveness of diplomatic engagement in resolving cross-border disputes.

Spokesperson to the President and Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, said the episode highlights the importance of sustained diplomatic engagement within the region.

“Our focus remains on peaceful cooperation, respect for international norms and the protection of lives and property,” he said.

The successful release of the aircraft and crew is being viewed as a reaffirmation of West Africa’s shared responsibility to manage disputes constructively, while strengthening trust and collaboration among neighbouring countries.

The personnel detained on Dec. 8 included two flight crew members and nine passengers, officials said.

Nigeria and Burkina Faso agreed to hold regular consultations and pursue steps to deepen bilateral cooperation and regional integration, a top Burkina Faso official said.

The Nigerian Air Force said last week that the aircraft was headed to Portugal for scheduled maintenance when it made the emergency landing in western Burkina Faso. The air force said the landing was done in accordance with international guidelines and standard safety procedures.

The emergency landing had prompted the Alliance of Sahel States to place its air and anti-air defenses on maximum alert with authorization “to neutralize any aircraft that violates the confederation’s airspace,” according to a statement by Gen. Assimi Goita, leader of Mali’s military junta. The alliance includes Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.