House Intervenes In Detention Of Air Force Plane In Burkina Faso

The House of Representatives has mandated its relevant committees to interface with security and foreign affairs authorities to ensure prompt resolution of all issues relating to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) C-130 aircraft and its crew detained following the precautionary landing in Burkina Faso.

The resolution followed the adoption of an urgent motion moved by Mr Ojuawo Adeniyi, who clarified that the Nigerian aircraft was on a duly authorised ferry flight to Portugal for scheduled depot maintenance when it made a precautionary landing in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, on December 8, 2025.

The plane and the crew were detained on the heels of the Nigerian government’s support in foiling a coup against the Patrice Guillaume Talon administration in the neighbouring Benin Republic.

Adeniyi explained that the landing was carried out purely on safety grounds and in line with international aviation protocols, stressing that the aircraft was not on an operational mission nor involved in intelligence gathering, espionage or surveillance.

He dismissed reports suggesting that the aircraft violated Burkina Faso’s airspace or was intercepted, noting that the flight was properly documented and conducted in compliance with international aviation standards.

The lawmaker warned that the spread of misinformation surrounding the incident could undermine Nigeria’s diplomatic standing, erode public confidence in national institutions and strain regional relation.

The House resolved to mandate the Committees on Foreign Affairs, Defence, Nigerian Air Force, National Security and Intelligence to jointly engage the Ministries of Defence and Foreign Affairs, as well as relevant intelligence agencies, to ensure the prompt resolution of all issues relating to the aircraft and its crew.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji