The House of Representatives has commenced a probe into the continued detention of 11 Nigerian Air Force (NAF) personnel and a C-130 aircraft by authorities in Burkina Faso, mandating relevant committees to engage security and diplomatic agencies to secure their release.
The resolution followed a motion of urgent national importance moved by Rufus Adeniyi Ojuawo, a retired Air Vice Marshal representing Ekiti South West/Ikere/Ise-Orun Federal Constituency.
Burkina Faso’s military government had alleged that the Nigerian aircraft violated its airspace, a claim reported by the Agence d’Information du Burkina, citing a statement from the Confederation of Sahel States (AES), which condemned the alleged breach of sovereignty.
However, the Nigerian Air Force said the aircraft diverted to the nearest airfield in line with standard aviation safety procedures.
In a statement by its Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the NAF said the crew were safe and receiving cordial treatment as diplomatic engagements continue to resolve the matter.
Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts by the Federal Government, the 11 personnel remain detained in Burkina Faso.
During plenary on Tuesday, presided over by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Ojuawo explained that the aircraft made a precautionary landing after the crew detected a technical concern shortly after departing Lagos on a ferry mission to Portugal.
He stressed that the flight was properly documented, conducted in line with international aviation standards, and was not on any intelligence or surveillance mission.
“The personnel onboard were standard aircraft crew and mission support officers. There is no evidence the aircraft violated Burkina Faso’s airspace or was intercepted,” Ojuawo said.
Lawmakers warned that misinformation surrounding the incident could undermine Nigeria’s diplomatic standing, strain regional relations, and erode public confidence in national institutions.
Contributing, Ahmad Munir described the Sahel’s security environment as fragile and urged stronger engagement with ECOWAS partners, while Donald Ojogo called for improved professionalisation of Nigeria’s foreign service.
The House mandated the Committees on Foreign Affairs, Defence, Nigerian Air Force and National Security to jointly engage the Ministries of Defence and Foreign Affairs, alongside relevant intelligence agencies, and report back within two weeks.
The Office of the National Security Adviser was also tasked with coordinating inter-agency communication and providing timely public briefings to curb misinformation.
