A Nigerian Air Force helicopter on a combat mission in Benue State made a precautionary landing on a farmland on Wednesday, shortly after completing a close-air-support operation against suspected kidnappers.
The helicopter had provided air support to ground troops operating in Ogbadigbo Local Government Area, close to the Enugu-Benue boundary. According to the Nigerian Air Force, the operation disrupted the activities of the suspected kidnappers and supported the advance of ground forces.
NAF spokesman, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the pilot, while returning to base after successfully completing the mission, exercised professional discretion to land approximately 10 nautical miles from the airfield.
“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 explained that the decision was taken in line with established operational and safety procedures following combat missions.
The helicopter was later confirmed to have returned safely to base.
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Earlier eyewitness reports indicated that the aircraft had touched down on farmland in the Utur Tse-Igboji community of Makurdi.
The incident occurred just two days after a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft crashed in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, killing all 25 people on board.
The Ondo-bound aircraft was reportedly operating a routine mission from Benin City to Lagos when it crashed into a swamp near a naval base. The Nigerian Air Force has commenced an investigation into the cause of the crash, while recovery operations at the site continue.
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Following the fatal crash, President Bola Tinubu declared three days of national mourning as authorities work to determine the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
The latest Benue incident, however, was described by the NAF as a precautionary landing rather than a crash, with the helicopter and its crew subsequently returning safely to base.
