By Muhammad Mamman
A Nigerian senator has called on the Federal Government to take decisive military action against Burkina Faso following the continued detention of Nigerian soldiers in the West African country.
Raising the issue during plenary at the National Assembly, the lawmaker described the detention as a grave affront to Nigeria’s sovereignty and an unacceptable violation of international military norms and regional agreements. He argued that Nigeria must not appear weak in the face of what he termed a “hostile and provocative” act against its armed forces.
According to the senator, the detained personnel were on a legitimate mission within the framework of regional security cooperation when they were reportedly apprehended by Burkinabé authorities. He insisted that diplomatic engagements so far had failed to yield results, necessitating a firmer response to secure the soldiers’ release.
The senator urged the executive to immediately brief the Senate on the circumstances surrounding the detention and the steps being taken to resolve the matter. He also called for the mobilisation of diplomatic pressure through ECOWAS and the African Union, warning that continued inaction could embolden further aggression against Nigerian interests in the region.
The issue has heightened concerns within the National Assembly over the safety of Nigerian troops operating beyond the country’s borders amid growing instability in the Sahel. Lawmakers stressed the need for clear rules of engagement and stronger protection for Nigerian forces participating in regional security operations.
As of the time of reporting, the Federal Government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had yet to issue an official statement on the senator’s call or provide details on the status of the detained soldiers.
