The House of Representatives has stepped into the controversy surrounding the continued detention of a Nigerian military aircraft and its crew in Burkina Faso.
Lawmakers say the situation raises serious diplomatic and security concerns that require urgent government action.
During plenary on Tuesday, the House resolved to engage top officials from the Ministries of Defence and Foreign Affairs to clarify the circumstances surrounding the aircraft’s detention and push for its release.
The move reflects growing unease within the National Assembly over the prolonged delay and the welfare of the affected personnel.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by an Ekiti State lawmaker, Rufus Ojuawo.
In presenting the motion, Ojuawo informed the House that the Nigerian Air Force C-130 aircraft was on a duly authorised ferry flight to Portugal for scheduled maintenance when it made a precautionary landing in Burkina Faso on December 8, 2025.
He explained that the maintenance trip was part of routine lifecycle requirements for military transport aircraft.
According to him, the flight was fully documented and conducted in line with international aviation rules, including provisions that allow diversion in the interest of safety.
“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,” he said.
Lawmakers expressed concern that despite these clarifications, the aircraft and Nigerian military personnel on board have remained in detention. The House described the situation as unacceptable and capable of straining diplomatic relations if not handled carefully.
As part of its resolutions, the House urged the Federal Government to leverage regional and continental platforms, including ECOWAS and the African Union, to promote cooperation and ensure the swift clearance of the aircraft and crew. Lawmakers stressed that such mechanisms exist to prevent misunderstandings among member states.
The House also called on the Office of the National Security Adviser to lead coordinated inter-agency engagement. The aim, according to the lawmakers, is to address national security concerns while avoiding unnecessary escalation or diplomatic fallout.
In addition, the Federal Government was urged to provide accurate public briefings where appropriate. Lawmakers said this would help counter misinformation while still safeguarding sensitive diplomatic and security processes.
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 relevant intelligence agencies.
The committees are expected to review all issues surrounding the aircraft and its crew and report back to the House within two weeks.
