The House of Representatives has urged the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, to revoke airstrip licenses issued to private entities, including Living Faith Church’s Canaanland. Lawmakers cited security concerns, linking unregulated airstrips to illegal arms and drug smuggling
The House of Representatives is moving to revoke airstrip licenses granted to private entities, including Living Faith Church's Canaanland airstrip in Ogun State. During a plenary session, lawmakers expressed concerns about security implications, citing past incidents of smuggling and the need to curb illegal firearm importation.
Sponsored by Sulaiman Abubakar, the motion emphasized that unregulated airstrips could facilitate the illegal transportation of arms and drugs, worsening Nigeria's security issues. The lawmaker referenced a 2014 case where a Nigerian aircraft was seized in South Africa for attempting to smuggle $9.3 million in arms. Abubakar argued that such operations contribute to insurgency and banditry, which have severely impacted Nigeria's socio-economic stability.
After a voice vote, the House passed the resolution urging Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo to halt the issuance of new airstrip licenses and withdraw existing approvals to protect national security.
