The House of Representatives has called on the minister of aviation and aerospace development Festus Keyamo to withdraw the airstrip licence granted to private individuals and organisations.
The lawmakers said this was necessary for security reasons.
The move was sequel to the adoption of a motion by Rep. Sulaiman Gumi (APC, Zamfara) at plenary in Abuja on Wednesday.
Gumi said the Federal Government, through Keyamo, earlier confirmed the approval of an airstrip to Living Faith Church, situated at Canaanland in Ota, Ogun. Bishop David Oyedepo is the church’s founder.
He noted that on October 6, Oyedepo informed his congregation of the approval of the airstrip.
Gumi recalled that in September 2014, a prominent religious leader was allegedly linked to a private jet used to convey $9.3 million in cash to South Africa for purchase of arms.
He said it was reported that the private jet, which was seized by South African authorities, had two Nigerians and an Israeli on board.
“The country is currently experiencing security challenges through illegal importation/proliferation of firearms and ammunition and importation of illicit/hard drugs,” he said.
“We are faced with the inability of our security agencies to pinpoint the source of supply of weapons to insurgents, kidnappers and separatists that have massacred thousands of Nigerians across the country.
“We are worried that granting airstrip to private individuals and organisations could further aid illegal importation of firearms and hard drugs into the country.
“This can further heighten insurgency, kidnapping, banditry and other vices that are seriously affecting the socio-economic development of the country.
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas mandated the committees on aviation and legislative compliance to ensure compliance.
