A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) helicopter made a precautionary landing in Benue State on Wednesday, October 7, after completing a close air support mission against suspected kidnappers. The aircraft landed in a farmland near Ogbadigbo, in the Ogbadigbo area of Benue State, close to the Welfare Quarters–Mopol 13 Ring Road. The crew members were safely evacuated and returned to base.
The NAF confirmed the landing as a precautionary measure following the completion of an operation. The helicopter was part of a broader effort to combat kidnapping in the region. The incident occurred shortly after a fatal crash involving an NAF ATR-42 aircraft in Igbokoda, Ondo State, which killed 25 personnel. The Ondo crash led to a thorough investigation and ongoing recovery efforts.
The NAF has been under increased scrutiny following the Ondo crash, which raised concerns about operational safety. The precautionary landing in Benue highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the force in conducting high-risk missions. The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has assured families of a thorough probe into the Ondo incident. The recent landing in Benue underscores the continued operational activity of the NAF in addressing security threats.
