The House of Representatives on Thursday asked the Federal Government to explore diplomatic and all possible measures to ensure the safe return of former President Goodluck Jonathan, who has been trapped in Guinea-Bissau following a military coup that halted the country’s electoral process.

Naijaonpoint reports that the resolution was taken after the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance moved by the House Leader, Prof Julius Ihonvbere, during plenary in Abuja.

Ihonvbere informed lawmakers that Jonathan, who travelled to Guinea-Bissau on an election observation mission, became trapped on Wednesday after soldiers seized power as election results were about to be formally declared.

It was reported earlier that hundreds of foreign observers who rushed to the airport in a bid to leave the country after the coup was announced are now stranded.

Military officers operating under the High Military Command for the Restoration of Order announced on Wednesday that they had assumed total control of the country.

The officers declared the electoral process suspended “until further notice,” and ordered the closure of all land, air and sea borders, as well as an overnight curfew.

A day after the election, two top candidates, incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and Fernando Dias, both separately declared victory before the collation ended.

Meanwhile, the head of the main opposition party, Domingos Simões Pereira, was reportedly arrested by the military, according to observers cited in media briefings.

Political analyst Haque reportedly confirmed the arrest while also raising an alarm over internet disruption.

“As well, we’ve just heard that the military is trying to cut off the Internet. There’s a curfew in place,” he said.

The army officer alleged to be spearheading the coup, Denis N’Canha, had served as head of the presidential guard before the takeover.

Addressing the lower chamber on Thursday, Ihonvbere urged that the Nigerian government take immediate steps to ensure Jonathan’s safe extraction.

“The government should explore diplomatic and every other measures to facilitate the safe return of former President Jonathan who is currently trapped following the coup,” he said at the plenary.

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