National Telescope national telescope newspaper
Olatunde Oluwasola|
The House of Representatives has directed the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, Festus Keyamo, to revoke the airstrip licence granted to Living Faith Church, owned by Bishop David Oyedepo, due to national security concerns.
This decision followed an urgent motion titled “Need to Stop Issuance of Airstrip Licence to Private Individuals and Organizations in the Country” moved by Rep. Sulaiman Abubakar Gumi during Wednesday’s plenary session.
Gumi noted that the federal government had confirmed approval of an airstrip for Living Faith Church, situated on Canaanland in Ota, Ogun State. Bishop Oyedepo had announced the approval during a sermon at Covenant University Chapel on October 6, 2024.
“The country currently experiences security challenges through illegal importation/proliferation of firearms and ammunition, importation of illicit/hard drugs, coupled 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,” Gumi stated.
He recalled a 2014 incident where a prominent religious leader was linked to a private jet used to convey $9.3 million in cash to South Africa for arms purchase.
“Granting airstrip to private individuals and organizations will aid illegal importation of firearms and hard drugs into the country, thus heightening insurgency, kidnapping, banditry and other vices that are seriously affecting the socio-economic development of the country,” Gumi warned.
The House has urged the Committees on Aviation and Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance with the decision.
