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.

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.

The Senate Committee on Public Accounts has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and other agencies to appear before it over unresolved audit queries.

The directive was issued on Monday after officials of the invited agencies failed to honour the committee’s invitation and did not provide any explanation for their absence.

Chairman of the committee, Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo, said the invitations were part of the committee’s constitutional oversight functions and efforts to clear pending audit issues.

He expressed disappointment over the agencies’ failure to appear, noting that the committee had planned to reduce its workload by addressing the outstanding matters.

Committee member, Senator Babangida Hussaini, described the agencies’ absence as disrespectful to the National Assembly, warning that the Senate would not tolerate being taken for granted.

Also speaking, Senator Patrick Ndubueze called for sanctions against the defaulting agencies, arguing that they had no justification for ignoring the committee’s invitation without any formal explanation.

Following deliberations, the committee resolved to give the affected agencies a final 72-hour deadline to appear before it on August 6, warning that failure to comply could lead to further legislative action.