A former senator representing Ekiti North and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ayodele Arise, has called on President Bola Tinubu to weigh the option of military action against Burkina Faso to secure the release of Nigerian soldiers being held in the country.
Arise made the call on Saturday while speaking on an Arise TV programme, arguing that Nigeria must demonstrate strength in its engagement with neighbouring states, even as it pursues diplomatic channels.
He acknowledged that the Nigerian Armed Forces are currently overstretched by insurgency and banditry at home, but insisted that military pressure should not be completely ruled out in resolving the impasse with Burkina Faso.
Drawing from history, Arise cited Israel’s 1976 Entebbe operation in Uganda, noting that decisive action could force a reassessment by the Burkinabe authorities.
“I think we should move and do something. Once they know we are prepared to act, I am sure the president there will have a rethink because they are our neighbours,” he said.
“Yes, we should be friendly with our neighbours, but they must also know that they cannot toy with our country.”
The former lawmaker also defended Nigeria’s recent military intervention in the Republic of Benin following an attempted coup, dismissing criticisms that President Tinubu acted hastily or breached constitutional provisions by acting before formally informing the National Assembly.
Arise’s comments came a day after the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, confirmed that the 11 Nigerian military personnel detained in Burkina Faso after an emergency landing remain in custody.
Speaking to journalists at the ECOWAS Commission in Abuja, Tuggar said the matter was being handled through diplomatic engagement.
“We are discussing how we can resolve this delicate matter as quickly as possible,” the minister said.
He clarified that the Nigerian Air Force C-130 aircraft involved was not connected to Nigeria’s intervention in Benin Republic, contrary to claims by Burkinabe authorities.
The aircraft had made an emergency landing in Bobo-Dioulasso, in south-western Burkina Faso, after which the officers were arrested amid suspicions they were on a rescue mission linked to the Benin coup attempt. Burkina Faso’s Minister of Territorial Administration, Emile Zerbo, later alleged that the aircraft violated national procedures by entering the country’s airspace without authorisation.
Beyond regional security concerns, Arise also weighed in on domestic legislative matters, criticising the Senate’s continued use of the “take-a-bow-and-go” method in screening ambassadorial nominees.
While stopping short of blaming the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, he argued that more thorough questioning during screenings would help assess nominees’ suitability for sensitive diplomatic roles.
“Many of us would prefer that the Senate ask questions and let the nominees justify their nominations,” he said.
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