NAF HELICOPTER MAKES PRECAUTIONARY LANDING IN BENUE AFTER ANTI-KIDNAPPING OPERATION

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

The Nigerian Air Force has said its helicopter, which made an emergency landing on farmland in Makurdi, Benue State, on Wednesday, was returning from an operation against suspected kidnappers along the Enugu-Benue boundary.

The Air Force said the helicopter had successfully provided close air support to ground troops during the operation in the Ogbadigbo area of Benue State, disrupting the activities of suspected criminal elements.

In a statement issued on Wednesday night, the Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the pilot carried out a precautionary landing about 10 nautical miles from the airfield while returning to base.

According to the statement, the landing was carried out in line with established operational and safety procedures following combat missions.

“The operation disrupted the activities of the criminal elements and supported the advance of surface forces,” the statement said.

The Air Force added that the helicopter had since returned to base, reaffirming its commitment to providing air support to ground troops and protecting communities through coordinated air and ground operations.

The helicopter reportedly landed at Utur Tse-Igboji, Bar Council Ward, along Welfare Quarter, Makurdi, on Wednesday night.

An eyewitness, in a Facebook post, claimed that the T-129 ATAK helicopter made an emergency landing on the farmland due to a technical fault.

“We all rushed to the scene to support the officers on board, and to the glory of God, they all came out alive. It would have been a double tragedy if the helicopter had crashed into our homes,” the eyewitness said.

The incident comes days after a Nigerian Air Force jet reportedly crashed in Igbokoda, Ondo State, killing all 25 people on board.