BREAKING: NAF helicopter makes emergency landing in Benue two days after Ondo crash

A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) helicopter has made a “precautionary landing” on farmland in Benue State after completing a close air support mission for ground troops operating against suspected kidnappers.

The incident occurred on Wednesday at Utur Tse-Igboji community in Makurdi, according to eyewitnesses who said the helicopter landed on a farmland in the area.

NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Ehimen Ejodame, confirmed the development in a statement, explaining that the aircraft had participated in an operation against criminal elements in Ogbadigbo Local Government Area, close to the Enugu-Benue boundary.

According to him, the aerial operation helped disrupt the activities of the suspected kidnappers and provided support for troops advancing on the ground.

“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 reads.

“This is in accordance with established operational and safety procedures following combat missions.

“The helicopter has returned to base.”

The incident comes just two days after another NAF aircraft was involved in a fatal crash at Igbokoda in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The aircraft, an ATR-42 with registration number NGR 931, crashed into a swamp near the naval base in the early hours of Monday while carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Ejodame said the Chief of Air Staff, Sunday Aneke, described the crash as a deeply painful incident for the Nigerian Air Force and the country.

The NAF also confirmed that no survivors had been found following the crash.

Following the tragedy, President Bola Tinubu declared a three-day period of national mourning in honour of those who lost their lives.