A Nigerian Air Force helicopter on a close air support mission against suspected kidnappers in Benue State on Wednesday made a precautionary landing after completing its operation.
The incident occurred just two days after an NAF aircraft crashed in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, killing all 32 people on board, according to the Air Force.
The latest incident has heightened attention on military aviation operations, although the NAF said the Benue helicopter was not involved in a crash.
The helicopter had reportedly provided air support to ground troops operating against suspected kidnappers in Ogbadigbo Local Government Area, close to the Enugu-Benue boundary.
NAF spokesman, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the operation successfully disrupted the activities of the criminal elements and supported the advance of ground forces.
He said the pilot, while returning to base after the mission, exercised professional discretion to carry out a precautionary landing about 10 nautical miles from the airfield.
“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.
He added that the action was consistent with established operational and safety procedures following combat missions.
The Air Force spokesman further said the helicopter had subsequently returned to base.
A source, however, told journalists that the aircraft touched down on farmland in the Utur Tse-Igboji community of Makurdi.
The NAF’s account placed the operation in Ogbadigbo LGA, where troops were engaged in efforts to disrupt suspected kidnapping activities.
The incident comes amid heightened scrutiny of NAF aviation operations following Monday’s tragedy in Ondo State.
The ATR-42 aircraft, with registration number NGR 931, crashed into a swamp near Igbokoda while carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members.
No survivor had been found as of Tuesday, while President Bola Tinubu declared three days of national mourning over the disaster.
The Benue incident is being treated differently by the Air Force, which has described it as a precautionary landing rather than a crash.