On October 7, a Nigerian Air Force T-129 ‘Atak’ helicopter (registration NAF503) executed an emergency landing on farmland in Utur Tse-Igboji, Makurdi, Benue State.
The aircraft reportedly experienced a technical malfunction during operation, necessitating the emergency maneuver.
All personnel on board safely exited the aircraft, and no fatalities were reported.
The Nigerian Air Force has explained that a military helicopter landed in a Benue farmland after completing an operation against suspected kidnappers.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, October 7, in the Ogbadigbo area of Benue State, close to the Enugu–Benue boundary, according to the Nigerian Air Force.
The NA, in a statement issued by the Director of Public Relations and Information at NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the aircraft had provided close air support to surface forces during an operation targeting suspected kidnappers in the area.
The military said the operation disrupted the activities of the suspected criminals and supported the advance of ground forces.
The statement was issued after reports circulated on social media that a Nigerian Air Force helicopter had made an emergency landing in a farmland in Makurdi.
According to the NAF, the landing was a precautionary measure carried out by the pilot after the completion of the combat mission.
“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 said.
The Air Force explained that the decision was consistent with established operational and safety procedures following combat missions.
It also confirmed that the helicopter was not stranded at the location, saying it had subsequently returned to base.
“The helicopter has returned to base,” the NAF stated.
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