NAF Helicopter Makes Emergency Landing In Benue After Anti-Kidnapping Mission
A Nigerian Air Force helicopter on Wednesday made a precautionary landing on a farmland in Makurdi, Benue State, shortly after completing a close air support mission against suspected kidnappers in the Ogbadigbo area.
The operation was conducted near the Enugu-Benue boundary and reportedly disrupted the activities of criminal elements while supporting ground troops advancing against the attackers.
The NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, confirmed the incident in a statement, stressing that the landing was carried out in line with established operational and safety procedures.
According to him, the pilot exercised professional discretion to land about 10 nautical miles from the airfield after successfully completing the mission.
“Following the successful completion of the mission, the pilot, on return to base, exercised his professional discretion to execute a precautionary landing approximately 10 nautical miles from the airfield,” Ejodame said.
He added that the helicopter had subsequently returned to base.
The NAF spokesman reaffirmed the force’s determination to maintain pressure on criminal elements, provide close air support to ground troops and protect vulnerable communities through coordinated air and ground operations.
Meanwhile, local sources said the helicopter landed at Utur Tse-Igboji community in Bar Council Ward, Makurdi, along the Welfare Quarters-Mopol 13 Ring Road.
A resident, Stephen Ikpam, said villagers quickly mobilised to the scene after the aircraft landed and assisted the officers on board.
According to him, all the occupants survived the incident.
“By the grace of God, all lives on board were saved when a Nigerian Air Force helicopter made an emergency landing on a farmland due to a technical fault,” Ikpam said.
He described the incident as a close call, adding that residents were grateful that the aircraft did not crash.
The incident comes only days after an NAF ATR-42 aircraft crashed in Ondo State, killing passengers and crew members and prompting renewed attention to military aviation safety.
The operation was conducted near the Enugu-Benue boundary and reportedly disrupted the activities of criminal elements while supporting ground troops advancing against the attackers.
The NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, confirmed the incident in a statement, stressing that the landing was carried out in line with established operational and safety procedures.
According to him, the pilot exercised professional discretion to land about 10 nautical miles from the airfield after successfully completing the mission.
“Following the successful completion of the mission, the pilot, on return to base, exercised his professional discretion to execute a precautionary landing approximately 10 nautical miles from the airfield,” Ejodame said.
He added that the helicopter had subsequently returned to base.
The NAF spokesman reaffirmed the force’s determination to maintain pressure on criminal elements, provide close air support to ground troops and protect vulnerable communities through coordinated air and ground operations.
Meanwhile, local sources said the helicopter landed at Utur Tse-Igboji community in Bar Council Ward, Makurdi, along the Welfare Quarters-Mopol 13 Ring Road.
A resident, Stephen Ikpam, said villagers quickly mobilised to the scene after the aircraft landed and assisted the officers on board.
According to him, all the occupants survived the incident.
“By the grace of God, all lives on board were saved when a Nigerian Air Force helicopter made an emergency landing on a farmland due to a technical fault,” Ikpam said.
He described the incident as a close call, adding that residents were grateful that the aircraft did not crash.
The incident comes only days after an NAF ATR-42 aircraft crashed in Ondo State, killing passengers and crew members and prompting renewed attention to military aviation safety.
