The National Assembly has called for a comprehensive audit of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft to determine their airworthiness and serviceability following a recent aircraft crash in Ondo State.

The Senate and House of Representatives made the call on Tuesday, expressing concern over recurring military aircraft accidents and the need to improve aircraft maintenance, safety procedures and oversight of ageing fleets.

At the Senate, the resolution followed a motion sponsored by Senator Osita Ngwu, representing Enugu West.

The lawmakers urged the Nigerian Air Force and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into the immediate and underlying causes of the crash and make the findings public.

The Senate also mandated its committees on Air Force and Aviation to visit the crash site, engage with NAF authorities and carry out a comprehensive assessment of aircraft in the military and presidential fleets.

Senator Tahir Monguno, representing Borno North, supported the motion, stressing the need to establish the operational readiness and airworthiness of military aircraft to prevent future accidents.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North, called for the Senate to obtain the NAF’s aircraft maintenance budget to determine the funds allocated for servicing its fleet.

His proposal, seconded by Senator Titus Zam of Benue North-West, also seeks to establish whether the funding provided for aircraft maintenance is adequate.

The Senate further urged the Federal Government to prioritise regular aircraft maintenance and the replacement of ageing military aircraft.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives adopted a similar position following a motion moved by Alhassan Rurum.

The House urged the Nigerian Air Force to strengthen its maintenance systems, particularly for ageing aircraft, and ensure that only aircraft meeting required safety standards are deployed for operations.

A member of the House, Donald Ojogo, commended the pilot’s actions, noting that they helped reduce the potential damage that could have occurred if the aircraft had crashed in a densely populated area.

Also speaking, Babajimi Benson, Chairman of the House Committee on Army, described the incident as a painful reminder of the risks military personnel face while defending the country.

The National Assembly observed a minute’s silence in honour of the victims and extended condolences to President Bola Tinubu, the Chief of Air Staff, the Nigerian Air Force, the Ondo State Government and the families of those who died.

The lawmakers said a comprehensive investigation and improved aircraft maintenance oversight were necessary to prevent similar incidents in the future.

President Bola Tinubu has transmitted several bills to the Senate for consideration, including proposals to reform the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), amend the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) Act and establish a National School of Government.

The bills were conveyed to the Senate by Senate President Godswill Akpabio in accordance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

One of the proposed legislations, the NDLEA Bill 2026, seeks to provide a consolidated legal framework for the agency’s operations and strengthen its enforcement powers, including its capacity to investigate persons suspected of involvement in illicit drug-related activities.

Also transmitted is the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau Amendment Bill 2026, which seeks to amend the existing 2022 Act to reposition the bureau as an independent authority and expand its mandate.

The proposed amendment further seeks to transfer supervisory oversight of the bureau to the Presidency and introduce changes to its administrative structure.

President Tinubu also forwarded the National School of Government Bill 2026, which seeks to repeal the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON) Act and establish a National School of Government.

The proposed institution is expected to serve as a national centre for governance training, public sector capacity development and institutional strengthening.

In addition, the President transmitted a bill seeking to domesticate the four Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their two Additional Protocols of 1977, which provide protections for victims of armed conflicts.

The proposed legislation also seeks to incorporate the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court into Nigeria’s domestic legal framework, providing for the prosecution and punishment of crimes including genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and aggression.

The bills are expected to undergo legislative consideration by the Senate as part of the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen institutional frameworks, improve public sector governance and enhance the administration of justice.

The Nigerian Senate has postponed its planned two-day National Security Summit indefinitely following the tragic crash of a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, which claimed the lives of 32 military personnel.

The summit, earlier scheduled for Monday, October 12, and Tuesday, October 13, 2026, was designed to bring together key stakeholders to examine Nigeria’s worsening security challenges and develop practical solutions to protect lives and property across the country.

However, the Senate said the programme had to be put on hold following the fatal crash of a NAF ATR-42 aircraft on Monday.

The decision was disclosed on Tuesday by the Leader of the Senate and Chairman of the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on the National Security Summit, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, in a statement personally signed by him.

According to Bamidele, the postponement became necessary in view of the national tragedy and the three-day national mourning declared by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in honour of the military personnel who lost their lives in the crash.

The aircraft crash, which occurred in Igbokoda, the headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area, Ondo State, reportedly involved 25 officers and seven crew members, all of whom died in the incident.

The tragedy has thrown the nation into mourning, particularly the families, colleagues and loved ones of the military personnel who died while serving the country.

President Tinubu, in response to the tragedy, directed that the national flag be flown at half-mast across the country for three days as a mark of respect for the fallen personnel.

The Senate said it considered it inappropriate to proceed with a major national event at a time when the country is mourning the loss of members of the Armed Forces.

Bamidele said the postponement was therefore necessary to honour the memory of the deceased personnel and allow the nation to grieve with their families.

The National Security Summit was conceived by the Senate as a major platform for a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s persistent security challenges, including terrorism, insurgency and other threats to national peace and stability.

The Senate Ad-hoc Committee had already concluded arrangements for the summit following the completion of zonal public hearings designed to gather views and recommendations from Nigerians and other stakeholders across the country.

The postponement, however, does not mean the Senate has abandoned the initiative.

Rather, the summit will be rescheduled for a new date to be announced by the Senate after the period of national mourning.

The Senate also extended its condolences to President Tinubu, the Nigerian Armed Forces, particularly the Nigerian Air Force, and the families of the deceased personnel.

The upper chamber described the fallen officers and crew members as gallant Nigerians who paid the supreme price in active service to their fatherland.

The Senate urged all stakeholders who had been preparing to participate in the summit to bear with the decision, noting that the postponement was necessitated by the national disaster and the prevailing period of mourning.

A new date for the National Security Summit will be communicated in due course.