Two days after Ondo crash, another NAF helicopter makes emergency landing on Benue farmland

A Nigerian Air Force helicopter made a precautionary landing on farmland in Benue State after completing a close air support mission against suspected kidnappers, the military has confirmed.

According to Daily Post, the incident occurred in Utur Tse-Igboji community in Makurdi after the aircraft supported ground troops operating against suspected kidnappers in Ogbadigbo Local Government Area, near the Enugu-Benue boundary.

NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Ehimen Ejodame, said the operation successfully disrupted the activities of the suspected criminals and supported advancing ground forces.

“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,” the statement reads.

“This is in accordance with established operational and safety procedures following combat missions.

“The helicopter has returned to base.”

The Air Force said the aircraft did not experience an emergency, describing the landing as a safety measure undertaken by the pilot after the combat mission.

The incident occurred two days after a NAF ATR-42 aircraft crashed into a swamp in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The aircraft, carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members, crashed on Monday, with the Air Force later confirming that no survivors had been found.

Following the crash, Chief of the Air Staff Sunday Aneke described the tragedy as a deeply painful moment for the NAF and Nigeria.

President Bola Tinubu subsequently declared three days of national mourning for the victims.