By Olokuta Rofiat
The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to take urgent steps to secure the release of a Nigerian Air Force C-130 aircraft and its crew currently detained in Burkina Faso.
The resolution, adopted on Tuesday, followed a motion of urgent public importance, with lawmakers describing the incident as a matter of national concern.
The House directed its relevant committees to engage the Ministries of Defence and Foreign Affairs to resolve the issue within two weeks.
According to the motion, the aircraft, which was on a ferry flight to Portugal for routine maintenance, made a precautionary landing in Burkina Faso due to technical issues, in line with international aviation protocols.
However, Burkinabe authorities reportedly accused the aircraft of unauthorised airspace entry, leading to its grounding and the detention of the crew amid heightened regional tensions.
The House called on the Federal Government to utilise bilateral channels as well as ECOWAS and African Union mechanisms to secure the safe return of the aircraft and personnel.
It also urged timely public communication to counter misinformation while safeguarding ongoing diplomatic efforts.
