NAF confirms helicopter makes precautionary landing in Benue

In a recent incident near Ogbadigbo, a border town between Benue and Enugu States, a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) helicopter made a precautionary landing in Benue State. This event took place barely 48 hours after a fatal crash involving a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) ATR-42 aircraft in Igbokoda, Ondo State. Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, the Chief of the Air Staff, and the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, had recently called for joint aviation safety measures following a series of air mishaps involving military aircraft, including the death of the former Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Ibrahim Attahiru, in May 2021.

The helicopter, during an air interdiction operation targeting suspected kidnappers, executed a safe landing. All personnel on board survived the emergency landing, exiting the aircraft unharmed. The Nigerian Air Force affirmed that the helicopter had provided close air support to ground forces during the operation, disrupting the activities of suspected criminal elements and supporting ground forces.

The NAF remains dedicated to maintaining pressure on criminal elements and ensuring the safety and security of communities through coordinated air and ground operations.