House of Reps Move To Revoke Winners Church’s Airstrip Licence

The House of Representatives has urged the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace to halt issuing airstrip licenses to private individuals and organisations, citing national security risks.

The move came in response to a motion presented by Rep. Sulaiman Gumi (APC-Zamfara) during Wednesday’s plenary session in Abuja.

 

The decision also included a call for the revocation of any previously granted airstrip licenses, with the goal of reducing avenues that could compromise national security.

 

Rep. Gumi highlighted a recent license approval for an airstrip in Canaanland, Ota, Ogun, affiliated with Living Faith Church, which the church’s founder, Bishop David Oyedepo, confirmed earlier this month.

Gumi’s motion pointed to past incidents involving private aircraft, such as the 2014 case where a jet linked to a religious leader was allegedly used to transport cash intended for arms purchase in South Africa.

The plane, reportedly carrying $9.3 million, was seized by South African authorities with Nigerian and Israeli nationals on board.

 

“Our security agencies are struggling to trace the sources of arms used by insurgents, kidnappers, and separatist groups responsible for thousands of deaths across the nation,” Gumi noted.

He expressed concern that privately owned airstrips could facilitate illegal weapons and drug imports, worsening issues like insurgency, kidnapping, and banditry that stifle Nigeria's socio-economic progress.

 

In response, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas directed the House Committees on Aviation and Legislative Compliance to monitor and ensure that the ministry enforces the halt on private airstrip licensing as requested.