Reps urge FG to intensify diplomacy over detention of NAF crew, aircraft in Burkina Faso

The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to intensify diplomatic engagement through bilateral channels, African Union frameworks and sustained dialogue to secure the prompt release of 11 Nigerian Air Force personnel and a C-130 aircraft detained by authorities in Burkina Faso.

The House also mandated its relevant committees to engage security and diplomatic agencies to facilitate the release of the personnel and the aircraft.

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance moved by Rufus Ojuawo, a retired Air Vice Marshal who represents Ekiti South West/Ikere/Ise-Orun federal constituency.

Read also: Burkina Faso grounds Nigerian military flight after alleged airspace violation

Burkina Faso’s military government had alleged that the Nigerian aircraft violated its airspace, a claim reported by the Agence d’Information du Burkina, which cited a statement by the Confederation of Sahel States. The AES condemned what it described as a breach of sovereignty.

The Nigerian Air Force, however, said the aircraft diverted to the nearest airfield in line with standard aviation safety procedures.

Speaking during plenary on Tuesday, presided over by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Ojuawo said the aircraft made a precautionary landing in Burkina Faso after the crew detected a technical concern shortly after departing Lagos on a ferry mission to Portugal.

He said the flight was properly documented and conducted in accordance with international aviation standards, stressing that the diversion was purely a safety decision.

The lawmaker dismissed claims circulating in the public space that the aircraft was on an intelligence or surveillance mission, noting that there was no evidence it violated Burkina Faso’s airspace or was intercepted or forced to land. He said the personnel on board were standard flight crew and mission support officers, adding that the matter was already being handled through diplomatic engagement by relevant Nigerian authorities.

Ojuawo warned that misinformation surrounding the incident could undermine Nigeria’s diplomatic standing, strain regional relations and erode public confidence in national institutions. He added that prolonged uncertainty could also affect national morale and civil-military relations.

Contributing to the debate, Ahmad Munir said the security and democratic environment in the Sahel remained fragile, describing Nigeria as a key stabilising democratic force in the region. He called for accountability across the defence and foreign affairs leadership and urged stronger engagement with ECOWAS partners to ensure the safe return of the detained personnel.

Donald Ojogo described the situation as a delicate diplomatic challenge and called for the retooling and professionalisation of Nigeria’s foreign service to better manage complex international engagements.

Following the debate, the House mandated the Committees on Foreign Affairs, Defence, Nigerian Air Force and National Security to jointly interface with the ministries of defence and foreign affairs, as well as relevant intelligence agencies, and report back within two weeks.

Lawmakers also urged the federal government to sustain diplomatic pressure through bilateral and multilateral platforms to secure the expeditious release of both the aircraft and its crew.

The House also tasked the Office of the National Security Adviser with coordinating inter-agency communication and providing timely public briefings to curb misinformation, without compromising sensitive diplomatic processes.

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