A Nigerian Air Force pilot made a precautionary landing on a farmland in Benue State after completing a combat mission against suspected kidnappers.
The helicopter had provided close air support to ground troops during an operation in Ogbadigbo Local Government Area, near the Benue-Enugu boundary, before the pilot decided to land about 10 nautical miles from the airfield while returning to base.
Residents said the aircraft came down on farmland in Utur Tse-Igboji community in Makurdi.
NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, confirmed the incident in a statement, saying the decision was taken as a safety precaution following the operation.
“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,” Ejodame said.
“This is in accordance with established operational and safety procedures following combat missions.”
The Air Force said the helicopter later returned safely to base.
According to NAF, the operation targeted suspected kidnappers in Ogbadigbo and helped disrupt their activities while supporting the advance of troops on the ground.
The unusual landing comes just days after the Nigerian Air Force suffered a deadly aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State.
The ATR-42 aircraft, with tail number NGR 931, crashed into a swamp opposite a naval base on Monday.
No survivors were found following the crash.
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, described the Ondo tragedy as a deeply painful moment for the Air Force and the country.
President Bola Tinubu subsequently declared three days of national mourning for the victims and ordered an investigation into the accident.
NAF, however, stressed that Wednesday’s Benue incident was a precautionary landing and that the helicopter returned to base.
