The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has confirmed that no lives were lost after one of its helicopters landed on a farmland in Benue State following an operation against suspected kidnappers.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, October 7, in the Ogbadigbo area of the state, near the Enugu-Benue boundary.
In a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the Air Force said the helicopter provided close air support to ground troops during an operation targeting suspected kidnappers.
According to the statement, the operation disrupted the activities of the suspected criminals and supported the advance of ground forces.
The NAF issued the clarification after reports circulated on social media that the helicopter had made an emergency landing on a farmland in Makurdi. Ejodame said the pilot exercised professional discretion and opted for a precautionary landing after completing the combat mission while returning to base.
“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,” he said.
The Air Force said the decision followed established operational and safety procedures, adding that the helicopter was neither stranded nor involved in a crash.
“The helicopter has returned to base,” the NAF stated.
However, 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 incident occurred days after a NAF ATR-42 aircraft crashed in Ondo State, killing military personnel and prompting President Bola Tinubu to declare three days of national mourning.
By Musekir Faisat Omolara
