The Nigerian Air Force confirmed that one of its helicopters made a precautionary landing in Benue State on Wednesday, October 7, following an operation against suspected kidnappers. The incident occurred in the Ogbadigbo area of the state, near the Enugu-Benue boundary. The helicopter provided close air support to ground troops during the operation, which disrupted the activities of the suspected criminals and supported the advance of ground forces.
According to a statement by Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the Director of Public Relations and Information at NAF Headquarters, the pilot exercised professional discretion and opted for a precautionary landing after completing the combat mission while returning to base. The decision followed established operational and safety procedures, and the helicopter was neither stranded nor involved in a crash.
The NAF issued a clarification after reports circulated on social media that the helicopter had made an emergency landing on a farmland in Makurdi. However, Ejodame said the helicopter had returned to base after the precautionary landing, approximately 10 nautical miles from the airfield. The incident occurred days after a NAF ATR-42 aircraft crashed in Ondo State, killing military personnel.
A resident, Stephen Ikpam, had earlier attributed the landing to a technical fault, saying the aircraft came down in Utur Tse-Igboji community, Bar Council Ward, Makurdi. Ikpam said residents rushed to the scene to assist the officers on board and confirmed that everyone survived the incident. The NAF has confirmed that no lives were lost in the incident.
The operation targeted suspected kidnappers and disrupted their activities, supporting the advance of ground forces. The NAF helicopter provided close air support during the operation, which was part of efforts to combat kidnapping and other crimes in the region. The incident highlights the risks faced by military personnel during operations.
The Nigerian Air Force has been involved in several operations against kidnappers and bandits in recent times. The incident is a reminder of the challenges faced by the military in maintaining security in the country. President Bola Tinubu recently declared three days of national mourning after a NAF ATR-42 aircraft crashed in Ondo State, killing military personnel.
The NAF has confirmed that the helicopter involved in the precautionary landing has returned to base, and an investigation into the incident is likely to be conducted. The incident will be reviewed to determine the cause of the precautionary landing and to identify measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Key points
- The Nigerian Air Force helicopter made a precautionary landing in Benue State after an anti-kidnapping mission.
- No casualties were recorded in the incident.
- The incident occurred days after a NAF ATR-42 aircraft crashed in Ondo State, killing military personnel.
