Authorities React as Another Military Aircraft Lands in Benue Farmland
The Nigerian Air Force has explained that a military helicopter landed in a Benue farmland after completing an operation against suspected kidnappers.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, October 7, in the Ogbadigbo area of Benue State, close to the Enugu–Benue boundary, according to the Nigerian Air Force.
The NA, in a statement issued by the Director of Public Relations and Information at NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the aircraft had provided close air support to surface forces during an operation targeting suspected kidnappers in the area.
The military said the operation disrupted the activities of the suspected criminals and supported the advance of ground forces.
The statement was issued after reports circulated on social media that a Nigerian Air Force helicopter had made an emergency landing in a farmland in Makurdi.
According to the NAF, the landing was a precautionary measure carried out by the pilot after the completion of the combat mission.
“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 said.
The Air Force explained that the decision was consistent with established operational and safety procedures following combat missions.
It also confirmed that the helicopter was not stranded at the location, saying it had subsequently returned to base.
“The helicopter has returned to base,” the NAF stated.
Earlier, a resident, Stephen Ikpam, had claimed that the aircraft made an emergency landing in the Utur Tse-Igboji community, Bar Council Ward, Makurdi, along the Welfare Quarters to Mopol 13 Ring Road.
Ikpam, who said he was reporting from the scene, claimed the helicopter landed on a farmland following what he described as a technical fault.
He said residents rushed to the scene after the incident and assisted the officers on board.
“By the grace of God, all lives on board were saved when a Nigerian Air Force helicopter made an emergency landing on our farmland due to a technical fault,” he said.
Ikpam added that the officers emerged safely from the aircraft, describing the incident as one that could have resulted in a tragedy.
“We all rushed to the scene to support the officers on board, and to the glory of God, they all came out alive,” he said.
The Benue incident comes days after another Nigerian Air Force aircraft was involved in a fatal crash in Ondo State, leading to the death of military personnel and a three-day national mourning period declared by President Bola Tinubu.
The Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft crashed near a naval base in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State on Monday while reportedly travelling from Benin to Lagos on a routine mission.
The aircraft had 25 passengers and seven crew members on board.
Following the crash, President Tinubu directed the Nigerian Air Force to immediately commence a thorough investigation into the cause of the accident.
“This is a painful moment for our Armed Forces and for the entire nation. Our Air Force personnel put their lives on the line every day to secure Nigeria. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten,” Tinubu said.
The President also directed that national flags be flown at half-mast across the country in honour of the personnel who died in the crash.
