- APC Chief Ayodele Arise has urged President Bola Tinubu to consider military action to secure the release of 11 Nigerian soldiers imprisoned in Burkina Faso.
- Arise told Arise TV that a decisive show of force could force Burkina Faso authorities to reconsider their position, citing Israel’s 1976 Entebbe attack as a precedent.
Former Senator and APC Chairman Ayodele Arise has called on President Bola Tinubu to consider military intervention in Burkina Faso to secure the release of 11 Nigerian soldiers currently imprisoned in Burkina Faso.
Speaking on Arise TV, the former Ekiti North senator said bold and decisive action could force Burkina Faso’s military junta to release the men. Citing Israel’s 1976 Entebbe attack, Arise argued that military action has proven effective in such hostage situations.
He said, “I think we should take action and take action. In fact, once they realize we want to do this, I’m sure the president there will reconsider because they are our neighbors,”. He added, “Yes, we should be friendly with our neighbours, but at the same time we should let them know that they cannot disturb our country,”.
Arise’s comments came after Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar confirmed that 11 Nigerian military personnel remained in detention. Tugar confirmed that diplomatic efforts were being taken to resolve the issue, saying: “We are discussing how to resolve this sensitive issue as soon as possible, we are discussing. So this is something that is being handled diplomatically.”
The soldiers were arrested after a Nigerian Air Force C-130 aircraft landed in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, which the Burkina Faso Territorial Administration claimed violated national airspace regulations and without proper permission.
Separately, Arise commented on the Senate’s screening of ambassadorial nominees, criticizing the practice of allowing candidates to “take a bow and walk away.” He noted that while the president and security agencies may have done their due diligence, the approach resulted in lost opportunities for public engagement and education for senators.
He concluded, “But many of us would prefer that the Senate raise the issue. Let the nominees justify Mr. President’s nominations because he cannot possibly know every one of them personally. He will rely on security reports and references from those who work around him.”
