A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) helicopter made a precautionary landing in Benue State on Wednesday during an air interdiction operation in Ogbadigbo, a border town between Benue and Enugu States. The incident occurred barely 48 hours after a fatal crash involving a NAF ATR-42 aircraft in Igbokoda, Ondo State. According to eyewitnesses, the pilot made a precautionary landing, prompting residents to rush to the scene to assist the officers on board. All those on board reportedly survived and exited the helicopter safely.
The incident occurred at Utur Tse-Igboji, Bar Council Ward, along the Welfare Quarters–Mopol 13 Ring Road in Ogbadigbo Local Government Area of Benue State. The helicopter had successfully provided close air support to ground forces during an operation targeting suspected kidnappers in the Ogbadigbo area of Benue State, near the Enugu–Benue boundary. The operation disrupted the activities of the suspected criminal elements and supported the advance of ground forces.
The Nigerian Air Force, through its Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, confirmed that the helicopter had returned to base after the precautionary landing. According to Ejodame, the pilot exercised his professional discretion to execute a precautionary landing approximately 10 nautical miles from the airfield, following the successful completion of the mission.
The NAF did not disclose the specific reason for the precautionary landing, but the statement stressed that the NAF remained committed to sustaining pressure on criminal elements, providing close air support to ground forces, and protecting communities through coordinated air and ground operations. The incident occurred barely 24 hours after the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, called for joint aviation safety measures to prevent frequent air mishaps involving military aircraft.
The call for joint aviation safety measures became imperative following the military’s record of at least 10 air mishaps in the past decade, some of which resulted in tragic fatalities. One of the notable incidents was the death of the former Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Ibrahim Attahiru, and other senior military officers aboard a Nigerian Air Force Beechcraft King Air 350i (NAF203) aircraft en route to Kaduna on May 21, 2021.
The successful outcome of the operation underscored the NAF’s continued resolve to deny criminal elements freedom of action and support efforts to restore safety and security to affected communities. The NAF has been actively involved in operations aimed at curbing insecurity in various parts of the country, including Benue State, where kidnapping and banditry have been prevalent.
The NAF has assured that it will continue to take necessary measures to ensure the safety of its crew members and the success of its operations. The precautionary landing of the helicopter in Benue State is a testament to the NAF's commitment to safety and its proactive approach to preventing accidents.
Key points
- The Nigerian Air Force helicopter made a precautionary landing in Benue State during an air interdiction operation, with all crew members safely returning to base.
- The incident occurred barely 48 hours after a fatal crash involving a NAF ATR-42 aircraft in Igbokoda, Ondo State.
- The NAF remains committed to sustaining pressure on criminal elements and providing close air support to ground forces despite the incident.
