The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says one of its helicopters made a “precautionary landing” in Benue State after completing a close air support mission against suspected kidnappers.
The helicopter reportedly landed on a farmland in Utur Tse-Igboji community in Makurdi, the state capital, on Wednesday.
Ehimen Ejodame, NAF director of public relations and information, said the aircraft had provided support to ground troops during an operation in Ogbadigbo Local Government Area, close to the Enugu-Benue boundary.
According to him, the operation disrupted the activities of the suspected criminals and assisted the ground troops in advancing against them.
Ejodame said the helicopter landed about 10 nautical miles from the airfield after the pilot exercised his professional judgment while returning to base.
“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,” the statement reads.
“This is in accordance with established operational and safety procedures following combat missions.
“The helicopter has returned to base.”
The incident comes two days after a NAF aircraft crashed in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, killing all 32 people on board.
The aircraft, an ATR-42 with registration number NGR 931, crashed into a swamp opposite a naval base in the early hours of Monday.
In a statement on Tuesday, Ejodame said Sunday Aneke, chief of air staff, described the crash as a deeply painful moment for the Nigerian Air Force and the country.
He also confirmed that no survivors had been found.
Following the tragedy, President Bola Tinubu declared three days of national mourning in honour of the military personnel who died in the crash.