A former Ekiti lawmaker and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Ayodele Arise, has called on President Bola Tinubu to consider military action against Burkina Faso to secure the release of Nigerian soldiers currently detained in the country.
Arise made the appeal on Saturday, arguing that while diplomacy remains important, Nigeria should not rule out decisive action to protect its national interest, especially when its military personnel are involved.
He acknowledged that the Nigerian Armed Forces are already stretched by internal security challenges such as insurgency and banditry but maintained that firmness could compel Burkina Faso’s leadership to reconsider its stance.
Drawing on historical examples, Arise referenced Israel’s 1976 Entebbe raid, suggesting that the mere possibility of force could send a strong message.
“We should let our neighbours know that while we seek friendly relations, Nigeria cannot be taken for granted,” he said.
The former senator also expressed support for Nigeria’s recent intervention in the Republic of Benin following a coup attempt, dismissing claims that President Tinubu acted rashly or violated constitutional provisions by acting before formally informing the National Assembly.
His comments came shortly after the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, confirmed that 11 Nigerian military personnel remain in custody in Burkina Faso following an emergency landing.
Tuggar explained that discussions are ongoing to resolve the issue diplomatically and clarified that the Nigerian Air Force aircraft involved was not connected to Nigeria’s intervention in Benin Republic.
The soldiers were aboard a C-130 aircraft that made an emergency landing in Bobo Dioulasso, south-western Burkina Faso, and were detained amid suspicions of involvement in a rescue operation linked to the Benin crisis. Burkina Faso’s authorities have claimed the aircraft entered their airspace without proper authorisation.
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Beyond security concerns, Arise also commented on domestic legislative practices, particularly the Senate’s use of the “take-a-bow-and-go” approach during ambassadorial screenings.
While he did not fault the process entirely, he argued that more thorough questioning would help lawmakers better assess nominees for sensitive diplomatic roles.
According to him, deeper engagement during screenings would improve transparency and ensure that nominees are adequately prepared to represent Nigeria’s interests abroad.
