NAF Helicopter Makes Precautionary Landing on Benue Farmland Days After Fatal Ondo Crash

A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) helicopter involved in a combat operation in Benue State made a precautionary landing on a farmland on Wednesday, only two days after a separate NAF aircraft crashed in Ondo State, killing all 25 people on board.

The helicopter was carrying out a mission to support ground troops operating against suspected kidnappers in Ogbadigbo Local Government Area of Benue State, close to the boundary with Enugu State.

According to the NAF spokesman, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the helicopter provided close air support to the troops during the operation, helping to disrupt the activities of the suspected kidnappers and supporting the advance of the ground forces.

Ejodame explained that after successfully completing the mission, the pilot was returning to base when he decided to make a precautionary landing approximately 10 nautical miles from the airfield.

He said the pilot’s decision was based on professional judgment and was carried out in accordance with established operational and safety procedures for aircraft returning from combat missions.

“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 NAF spokesman said.

Ejodame further confirmed that the helicopter was not lost and subsequently returned safely to its base.

Eyewitnesses had earlier reported that the aircraft touched down on farmland in the Utur Tse-Igboji community in Makurdi, raising concerns among residents following the recent fatal NAF aircraft crash in Ondo State.

The Benue incident occurred just two days after an NAF ATR-42 aircraft crashed in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, during a routine mission from Benin City to Lagos.

The aircraft plunged into a swamp near a naval base, resulting in the deaths of all 25 people on board.

The Ondo crash has prompted the NAF to commence an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident, while recovery efforts at the crash site continue.

Following the tragedy, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared three days of national mourning in honour of the victims and directed relevant authorities to work towards determining the cause of the crash.

The latest precautionary landing in Benue has therefore attracted attention, although the NAF has stressed that the helicopter completed its mission and safely returned to base.

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