THE House of Representatives on Tuesday resolved to meet with senior officials in the ministries of Defence and Foreign Affairs over the country’s detained aircraft and personnel in Burkina Faso.
News Point Nigeria reports that the decision followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by Ekiti lawmaker, Mr Rufus Ojuawo.
Lawmakers urged the President Bola Tinubu-led government to utilise the Economic Community of West African States and African Union frameworks to facilitate cooperation, mutual understanding, and the expeditious release of the aircraft and detained military personnel.
They also called on the Office of the National Security Advisor to coordinate interagency communication to ensure national security considerations were addressed without escalation.
The House further urged the Federal Government to provide factual public briefings, where appropriate, to counter misinformation while protecting sensitive diplomatic and security processes.
The Nigerian Air Force aircraft, a C-130, was reportedly on a ferry flight to Portugal for scheduled, periodic depot maintenance, a routine and mandatory life-cycle requirement for a military transport aircraft.
The crew, however, made a precautionary landing in Burkina Faso on December 8, 2025.
The safe flight was properly documented and conducted in compliance with international aviation standards, including provisions for diversion on safety grounds.
“The precautionary landing was made purely on safety considerations and in line with established aviation protocols.
“The aircraft was neither on an operational mission nor involved in intelligence gathering or surveillance activities,” the House noted.
It expressed displeasure over “the continued detention of Nigeria’s aircraft and the security personnel on board.”
Following the adoption of the motion, the House mandated its committees on Foreign Affairs, Defence, Nigerian Air Force, and National Security to interface with the Ministry of Defence and other relevant intelligence agencies to address all issues related to the aircraft and its crew, and to report back to the House within two weeks.
