President Mahama’s Sahel envoy receives Nigerian aircraft crew released by Burkina Faso

Accra, Dec. 20, — Colonel Larry Gbevlo Lartey, Special Envoy to the Sahel appointed by President John Dramani Mahama, has received a Nigerian aircraft and its crew following their release by authorities in Burkina Faso.

The aircraft and crew had reportedly been detained over an alleged breach of Burkinabe airspace.

A statement issued by Mr Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Presidential Spokesman and Minister in charge of Government Communications, said Col. Gbevlo Lartey welcomed the aircrew on behalf of President Mahama and praised both the Nigerian and Burkinabe governments for settling the matter through diplomatic engagement.

“The incident shows that as brothers and sisters within the West African subregion, we are capable of resolving our differences in a peaceful and neighbourly way,” Col. Gbevlo Lartey was quoted as saying.

According to the statement, the crew will remain in Ghana temporarily to rest, carry out technical inspections on the aircraft and await the necessary clearance before proceeding to Portugal, where the aircraft is scheduled for maintenance.

GHBUSS