The Nigerian Air Force NAF has confirmed that one of its helicopters made a precautionary landing in Benue State after providing close air support to ground troops during an operation against suspected kidnappers.

The incident occurred on Wednesday in Utur Tse-Igboji community, Bar Council Ward, in Makurdi Local Government Area of the state.

The NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the helicopter had successfully completed its mission before the pilot exercised professional discretion to make the precautionary landing.

According to him, the operation targeted suspected kidnappers in Ogbadigbo Local Government Area, close to the Enugu-Benue boundary.

Ejodame said the operation disrupted the activities of the criminal elements and supported the advance of ground forces.

He explained that, while returning to base after the mission, the pilot made the precautionary landing about 10 nautical miles from the airfield in accordance with established operational and safety procedures.

The NAF spokesman said the helicopter had subsequently returned safely to its base.

The development came two days after an NAF ATR-42 aircraft crashed in Igbokoda, Ondo State, killing all 25 people on board. The Air Force has since commenced investigations into the cause of the crash.

The Benue incident initially generated concern among residents after the helicopter landed on farmland, with eyewitnesses reporting that people gathered at the scene.

There were no reports of deaths or serious injuries arising from the precautionary landing.

The NAF said the incident was handled in line with established safety procedures and that the helicopter had returned to base after the successful completion of its operational assignment.