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The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has confirmed that one of its helicopters made a precautionary landing on a farmland in Makurdi, Benue State, after returning from an operation against suspected kidnappers near the Enugu-Benue boundary.
The helicopter landed on Wednesday at Utur Tse-Igboji community in Bar Council Ward, along the Welfare Quarters to Mopol 13 Ring Road in Makurdi.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the aircraft had been deployed to provide close air support to ground troops during an operation targeting suspected kidnappers in the Ogbadigbo area of Benue State.
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Ejodame said the operation disrupted the activities of the suspected kidnappers and supported the advance of the ground forces.
He explained that after the mission was completed, the pilot opted to make a precautionary landing about 10 nautical miles from the airfield while returning to base.
According to the NAF spokesman, the decision was taken in line with established operational and safety procedures following combat missions.
He added that the helicopter had subsequently returned safely to base.
The NAF said the incident did not affect its commitment to ongoing operations against criminal elements, stressing that it would continue providing air support to ground forces and working with other security agencies to protect communities.
The Air Force said the outcome of the operation demonstrated its continued efforts to restrict the activities of criminal groups and support wider security operations in affected communities.
The statement read in parts, “The helicopter had successfully provided close air support to surface forces during an operation targeting suspected kidnappers in the Ogbadigbo area of Benue State, near the Enugu-Benue boundary. The operation disrupted the activities of the criminal elements and supported the advance of surface 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.
“This is in accordance with established operational and safety procedures following combat missions. The helicopter has returned to base.
“The NAF remains committed to sustaining pressure on criminal elements, providing close air support to surface forces and protecting communities through coordinated air and ground operations.
“The successful outcome underscores the NAF’s continued resolve to deny criminal elements freedom of action and support efforts to restore safety and security to affected communities.”
