NAF Helicopter Lands On Benue Farmland After Anti-Kidnap Mission

A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) helicopter has made a precautionary landing on a farmland in Makurdi, Benue State, shortly after completing a close air support mission against suspected kidnappers operating in the state.

The incident occurred at Utur Tse-Igboji community in Makurdi, with residents reporting that the military aircraft landed on farmland in the area.

The NAF, however, said the helicopter did not encounter an emergency but that the pilot exercised professional discretion to make a precautionary landing as a safety measure after completing the mission.

The Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.

According to him, the helicopter had participated in an operation targeting suspected criminal elements in Ogbadigbo Local Government Area, near the Enugu-Benue boundary.

Ejodame said the operation successfully disrupted the activities of the suspected kidnappers while providing close air support to ground troops advancing against the criminals.

He explained that after the successful completion of the mission, the pilot, while returning to base, opted to land approximately 10 nautical miles from the airfield in line with established operational and safety procedures.

“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 development reportedly occurred at Utur Tse-Igboji, Bar Council Ward, along the Welfare Quarters–Mopol 13 Ring Road.

An eyewitness, Stephen Ikpam, however, told reporters that the helicopter was believed to have developed a technical fault, forcing the crew to land on the farmland.

Ikpam said residents rushed to the scene after the landing and assisted the military personnel on board, adding that all the occupants reportedly survived the incident and came out safely.

The incident comes shortly after another NAF aircraft was involved in a crash at Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, raising fresh concerns about military aviation safety.

However, there was no indication in the NAF’s account that the Benue incident involved a crash or injuries.

The latest development also comes amid intensified military operations against kidnappers and other criminal elements operating along the Benue-Enugu axis, with the NAF providing aerial support to ground troops.

The air support operations are part of broader efforts by security agencies to disrupt criminal networks and restore security to vulnerable communities in the region.