By Habeeb Ibrahim
Two days after a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft crash killed 25 people in Ondo State, another NAF aircraft has made a precautionary landing on farmland in Makurdi, Benue State, with all personnel on board surviving.
The helicopter landed on Wednesday in the Utur Tse-Igboji community, Bar Council Ward, along the Welfare Quarters–Mopol 13 Ring Road corridor in Makurdi.
Initial reports from residents indicated that the helicopter developed a technical problem during flight, prompting the crew to land on an open field.
However, the NAF later clarified that the pilot deliberately carried out a precautionary landing after completing a close-air-support operation against suspected kidnappers in Ogbadigbo Local Government Area, near the Enugu-Benue boundary.
According to the NAF, the operation successfully disrupted the activities of the suspected kidnappers and supported ground forces.
The Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the pilot exercised professional discretion to land about 10 nautical miles from the airfield while returning to base, in line with established operational and safety procedures following combat missions.
The Air Force said the helicopter has since returned to base.
Earlier eyewitness accounts said residents rushed to the farmland after the helicopter landed and assisted the military personnel. No deaths or injuries were reported.
The incident comes shortly after the NAF’s ATR-42 aircraft, NAF 931, crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State on October 5 while on a routine mission from Benin City to Lagos.
The NAF confirmed that all 25 people aboard that aircraft, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers, died in the crash.
