A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) helicopter has made a precautionary landing on a farmland in Benue State after completing a close air support mission against suspected kidnappers.

The helicopter reportedly landed at Utur Tse-Igboji community in Makurdi, according to eyewitnesses.

NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the aircraft was involved in an operation in Ogbadigbo Local Government Area, close to the Enugu-Benue boundary.

According to him, the operation disrupted the activities of the suspected kidnappers and supported the advance of ground troops.

Ejodame said the pilot, while returning to base after the mission, exercised professional discretion and landed the helicopter about 10 nautical miles from the airfield.

“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,” he said.

He explained that the action was in line with established operational and safety procedures following combat missions.

The NAF spokesperson added that the helicopter had subsequently returned safely to base.

The incident occurred two days after an NAF ATR-42 aircraft crashed in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The aircraft, with registration number NAF 931, crashed into a swamp opposite the naval base in the early hours of Monday while carrying 25 people.

The NAF said no survivors had been found as of Tuesday.

President Bola Tinubu subsequently declared three days of national mourning following the crash.