Reps Call for Release of Aircraft, Troops Held by Burkina Faso

The House of Representatives on Tuesday agreed to engage senior officials from the Ministries of Defence and Foreign Affairs over the detention of a Nigerian military aircraft and its crew in Burkina Faso.

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Ekiti lawmaker Rufus Ojuawo. Lawmakers urged the Federal Government, under President Bola Tinubu, to leverage regional and continental platforms such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union to promote cooperation and secure the prompt release of the aircraft and detained personnel.

They also called on the Office of the National Security Adviser to lead interagency coordination, ensuring that national security concerns are properly addressed without escalating tensions. In addition, the House advised the government to issue accurate public briefings where necessary to curb misinformation, while safeguarding sensitive diplomatic and security processes.

The aircraft involved, a Nigerian Air Force C-130, was reportedly en route to Portugal for routine and mandatory depot maintenance when it made a precautionary landing in Burkina Faso on December 8, 2025. The House noted that the flight was properly documented and carried out in line with international aviation regulations, including provisions allowing diversions for safety reasons.

According to lawmakers, the landing was strictly a safety measure and complied with established aviation procedures. They stressed that the aircraft was not on an operational assignment and was not involved in intelligence, surveillance, or reconnaissance activities.

The House expressed concern over the continued detention of both the aircraft and the military personnel onboard. Following the motion’s adoption, it directed its Committees on Foreign Affairs, Defence, Nigerian Air Force, and National Security to engage the Ministry of Defence and relevant security agencies, address all outstanding issues surrounding the incident, and submit a report to the House within two weeks.