The Nigerian Air Force has confirmed that one of its helicopters made a precautionary landing on farmland in Benue State after completing a military operation against suspected kidnappers.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, in Utur Tse-Igboji community in Makurdi, according to reports. The landing came two days after a separate Nigerian Air Force aircraft crashed in Ondo State, killing everyone on board.
The NAF said the helicopter had been deployed to provide close air support to ground troops conducting an operation against suspected kidnappers in Ogbadigbo Local Government Area, close to the Enugu-Benue boundary.
According to the Director of Public Relations and Information of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the operation successfully disrupted the activities of the suspected criminal elements and supported the advance of ground forces.
Following the completion of the mission, the pilot decided to make a precautionary landing approximately 10 nautical miles from the airfield while returning to base.
The Air Force said the decision was made in line with established operational and safety procedures following combat missions.
The helicopter subsequently returned to base safely.
Landing on farmland
The aircraft came down on farmland in Utur Tse-Igboji, a community in Makurdi.
Eyewitness accounts had initially raised concerns about the incident, particularly because it occurred shortly after the fatal NAF aircraft crash in Ondo State.
Reports from the scene indicated that residents gathered around the aircraft after it landed.
However, the Air Force's account indicates that the landing was a precautionary operational decision rather than a crash. The aircraft was able to return to base after the incident.
There were no reports of fatalities connected to the Benue landing.
The Benue incident occurred just two days after an NAF ATR-42 aircraft crashed in Igbokoda, Ondo State.
The aircraft, identified as NAF 931, was conducting a routine mission from Benin City to Lagos when it crashed in a swampy area near Igbokoda.
The Nigerian Air Force subsequently confirmed that 25 people were aboard the aircraft and that there were no survivors. President Bola Tinubu declared three days of national mourning following the tragedy.
The timing of the Benue landing has therefore heightened public attention on the safety of Nigerian military aviation operations.
Unlike the Ondo incident, however, the Benue operation ended without reported loss of life or serious injury.
The NAF has stressed that the helicopter's landing was precautionary and consistent with established operational and safety procedures.
The aircraft has since returned to service at its base.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, in Utur Tse-Igboji community in Makurdi, according to reports. The landing came two days after a separate Nigerian Air Force aircraft crashed in Ondo State, killing everyone on board.
The NAF said the helicopter had been deployed to provide close air support to ground troops conducting an operation against suspected kidnappers in Ogbadigbo Local Government Area, close to the Enugu-Benue boundary.
According to the Director of Public Relations and Information of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the operation successfully disrupted the activities of the suspected criminal elements and supported the advance of ground forces.
Following the completion of the mission, the pilot decided to make a precautionary landing approximately 10 nautical miles from the airfield while returning to base.
The Air Force said the decision was made in line with established operational and safety procedures following combat missions.
The helicopter subsequently returned to base safely.
Landing on farmland
The aircraft came down on farmland in Utur Tse-Igboji, a community in Makurdi.
Eyewitness accounts had initially raised concerns about the incident, particularly because it occurred shortly after the fatal NAF aircraft crash in Ondo State.
Reports from the scene indicated that residents gathered around the aircraft after it landed.
However, the Air Force's account indicates that the landing was a precautionary operational decision rather than a crash. The aircraft was able to return to base after the incident.
There were no reports of fatalities connected to the Benue landing.
The Benue incident occurred just two days after an NAF ATR-42 aircraft crashed in Igbokoda, Ondo State.
The aircraft, identified as NAF 931, was conducting a routine mission from Benin City to Lagos when it crashed in a swampy area near Igbokoda.
The Nigerian Air Force subsequently confirmed that 25 people were aboard the aircraft and that there were no survivors. President Bola Tinubu declared three days of national mourning following the tragedy.
The timing of the Benue landing has therefore heightened public attention on the safety of Nigerian military aviation operations.
Unlike the Ondo incident, however, the Benue operation ended without reported loss of life or serious injury.
The NAF has stressed that the helicopter's landing was precautionary and consistent with established operational and safety procedures.
The aircraft has since returned to service at its base.
Filed under
#Nigerian Air Force
#NAF
#Benue State
#Makurdi
#Helicopter
#Security
#Kidnapping
#Military Aviation
#Nigeria
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The Nigerian Air Force has confirmed that one of its helicopters made a precautionary landing on farmland in Benue State after completing a close-air-support mission against suspected kidnappers, saying the aircraft and crew subsequently returned safely to base. The Nigerian Air Force has confirmed that one of its helicopters made a precautionary landing on farmland in Benue State...
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- The Nigerian Air Force has confirmed that one of its helicopters made a precautionary landing on farmland in Benue State after completing a close-air-support mission against suspected kidnappers, saying the aircraft and crew subsequently returned safely to base.
- The Nigerian Air Force has confirmed that one of its helicopters made a precautionary landing on farmland in Benue State after completing a military operation against suspected kidnappers.The incident occurred on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, in Utur Tse-Igboji community in Makurdi, according to reports.
- The landing came two days after a separate Nigerian Air Force aircraft crashed in Ondo State, killing everyone on board.The NAF said the helicopter had been deployed to provide close air support to ground troops conducting an operation against suspected kidnappers in Ogbadigbo Local Government Area, close to the Enugu-Benue boundary.According to the Director of Public Relations and Information of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the operation successfully disrupted the activities of the suspected criminal elements and supported the advance of ground forces.Following the completion of the mission, the pilot decided to make a precautionary landing approximately 10 nautical miles from the airfield while returning to base.The Air Force said the decision was made in line with established operational and safety procedures following combat missions.The helicopter subsequently returned to base safely.Landing on farmlandThe aircraft came down on farmland in Utur Tse-Igboji, a community in Makurdi.Eyewitness accounts had initially raised concerns about the incident, particularly because it occurred shortly after the fatal NAF aircraft crash in Ondo State.Reports from the scene indicated that residents gathered around the aircraft after it landed.However, the Air Force's account indicates that the landing was a precautionary operational decision rather than a crash.
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The Nigerian Air Force has confirmed that one of its helicopters made a precautionary landing on farmland in Benue State after completing a close-air-support mission against suspected kidnappers, saying the aircraft and crew subsequently returned safely to base. The Nigerian Air Force has confirmed that one of its helicopters made a precautionary landing on farmland in Benue State...
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Glow 99.1 FM published this story with GlowRy Atuah listed as author.
When was it published?
October 8, 2026
