The Nigerian Air Force has disclosed that its helicopter, which made an emergency landing on farmland in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, on Wednesday, was returning from an operation around the Enugu-Benue boundary.
The Director of Public Relations and Information of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said in a statement that the aircraft had successfully disrupted the activities of suspected kidnappers during the mission.
The incident occurred days after a Nigerian Air Force jet crashed in Igbokoda, Ondo State, killing all 25 people on board.
In a statement released on Wednesday night, the Air Force explained that the helicopter had provided effective close air support to ground troops during an operation against suspected kidnappers in the Ogbadigbo area of Benue State, close to 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.”
The helicopter was forced to land on Wednesday night at Utur Tse-Igboji, Bar Council Ward, along Welfare Quarter, Makurdi.
An eyewitness, in a post on Facebook, claimed that the Nigerian Air Force T-129 ATAK helicopter made an emergency landing on a farmland due to a technical fault.
“We all rushed to the scene to support the officers on board, and to the glory of God, they all came out alive. It would have been a double tragedy if the helicopter had crashed into our homes,” the eyewitness alleged.