NAF confirms helicopter landed on farmland after operation against kidnappers

The Nigerian Air Force has said that one of its helicopters that landed on a farmland in Makurdi, the Benue State capital was returning from an operation against suspected kidnappers along the Enugu-Benue boundary.

It was gathered that the aircraft, on Wednesday, landed on a farmland in Utur Tse-Igboji community, Bar Council Ward along Welfare Quarters to Mopol 13 Ring Road in Makurdi, the state capital.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the helicopter had successfully disrupted the activities of suspected kidnappers during the operation.

The statement read in parts, “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.

“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.”

This is coming barely 48 hours after a NAF aircraft, which had 25 passengers and seven crew members on board, crashed into a swampy area in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Monday, October 5, 2026.

It was on a routine mission from Benin City, Edo State, to Lagos when contact with air traffic controllers was lost at about 9.13am.