The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to activate Nigeria’s diplomatic engagements with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU) to secure the immediate release of Nigerian soldiers and a military aircraft currently held in Burkina Faso.
The resolution was adopted during Tuesday’s plenary session following the consideration of a motion sponsored by Ojuawo Adeniyi, a lawmaker representing Ekiti State.
Background
Earlier this month, the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) accused a Nigerian Air Force aircraft conveying 11 Nigerian soldiers of breaching Burkina Faso’s airspace. The AES is a breakaway regional bloc made up of Burkina Faso, Mali, and the Niger Republic.
Malian junta leader, Assimi Goïta, described the aircraft’s landing as an “unfriendly act” and a violation of international law. Subsequently, the AES announced that its member states were authorised to neutralise any aircraft deemed to have violated its airspace.
The incident coincided with Nigerian military air operations in Benin Republic, where troops were deployed to help prevent a coup attempt.
However, the Nigerian Air Force clarified that the C-130 aircraft was on a routine ferry mission en route to Portugal.
On December 11, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, confirmed that both the aircraft and the detained soldiers remained in Burkina Faso.
The Motion
Leading the debate, Adeniyi warned that the prolonged uncertainty surrounding the aircraft and its crew could undermine national morale, erode civil-military confidence, and tarnish Nigeria’s standing within the sub-region.
He stressed that a swift, coordinated, and transparent response was essential to protect Nigeria’s national security interests and uphold its sovereignty.
The motion was unanimously adopted following a voice vote called by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the session.
Consequently, the House mandated its Committees on Foreign Affairs, Defence, Air Force, and National Security to engage with the Ministry of Defence and relevant intelligence agencies to ensure a prompt resolution of the matter and report back to the chamber within two weeks.
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