By 9jaeye 
Lawmakers summon defence, foreign affairs officials over diplomatic and security concerns
The House of Representatives has launched a formal investigation into the detention of NAF plane and airmen in Burkina Faso, describing the incident as a serious national security and diplomatic concern.
The probe followed a motion raised during plenary in Abuja, where lawmakers expressed alarm over the continued detention of the personnel despite ongoing diplomatic engagements. The aircraft, a NAF C-130, reportedly made an unscheduled landing in Burkina Faso, after which local authorities detained both the aircraft and its crew.
Lawmakers Demand Accountability
Members of the House questioned why the situation had dragged on without resolution and warned that the development could strain Nigeria’s relations with its Sahel neighbour. They stressed that Nigeria must protect its military personnel and prevent any precedent that undermines its sovereignty or regional standing.
As a result, the House mandated its Committees on Defence, National Security, Foreign Affairs, and Air Force to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. The committees will engage the Ministries of Defence and Foreign Affairs, as well as top military officials, to clarify the mission of the aircraft and the diplomatic steps taken so far.
Concerns Over Regional Tensions
Lawmakers also linked the detention to rising mistrust among Sahel states, especially amid growing security cooperation shifts involving Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. They warned that miscommunication or intelligence suspicion could worsen regional instability if left unaddressed.
Several legislators urged the federal government to intensify diplomatic engagement with Ouagadougou to secure the immediate release of the personnel. They noted that prolonged detention of uniformed officers could damage morale within the armed forces and weaken regional counterterrorism cooperation.
Call for Swift Resolution
The House emphasised that Nigeria values peaceful relations with neighbouring countries and expects mutual respect under international aviation and military conventions. Lawmakers insisted that transparency and dialogue must guide the resolution process.
The committees are expected to report back to the House with their findings and recommendations in the coming weeks, as pressure mounts on the executive arm to bring the matter to a swift and dignified conclusion.
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