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ABUJA, NIGERIA — The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has confirmed that its helicopter, which made a precautionary landing on a farmland in Makurdi, Benue State, has safely returned to base after completing a mission against suspected kidnappers.
The helicopter landed on Wednesday night at Utur Tse-Igboji community, Bar Council Ward, along the Welfare Quarters–MOPOL 13 Ring Road in Makurdi, triggering attention to the circumstances surrounding the incident.
However, the NAF had, in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by its Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the aircraft had landed approximately 10 nautical miles from the airfield in accordance with established operational and safety procedures.
According to the Air Force, the helicopter was returning from an operation targeting suspected kidnappers in the Ogbadigbo area of Benue State, near the Enugu–Benue boundary, where it had provided close air support to ground troops.
Ejodame explained that the operation successfully disrupted the activities of the suspected kidnappers and supported the advance of surface forces.
“The helicopter had successfully provided close air support to surface forces during an operation targeting suspected kidnappers in the Ogbadigbo area of Benue State, near the Enugu–Benue boundary. The operation disrupted the activities of the criminal elements and supported the advance of surface forces,” the statement said.
He added that the pilot, while returning to base after the mission, exercised professional discretion in carrying out the precautionary landing.
“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 since returned to base,” Ejodame stated.
The NAF did not disclose further technical details about the circumstances that necessitated the landing.
Reaffirming the service’s commitment to ongoing security operations, the Air Force spokesperson said the military would continue to sustain pressure on criminal elements and provide air support to ground forces operating in affected communities.
“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,” he said.
Ejodame added that the outcome of the mission demonstrated the Air Force’s determination to deny criminal groups freedom of action and support efforts to restore safety and security to affected communities.
The incident occurred amid military operations against suspected kidnappers in parts of Benue State, particularly around the Ogbadigbo axis near the Enugu–Benue boundary.
The NAF’s confirmation that the helicopter had returned to base provides an update on the incident, while its statement underscores the role of coordinated air and ground operations in ongoing efforts to tackle insecurity in the region.
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