A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) helicopter on Wednesday made a precautionary landing on farmland in Makurdi, Benue State, days after a NAF aircraft crash in Ondo State claimed the lives of all 25 people on board.
The incident occurred on October 7, 2026, in the Utur Tse-Igboji area of Bar Council Ward, along the Welfare Quarters–Mopol 13 Ring Road axis of Makurdi.
Residents reportedly rushed to the scene after the helicopter landed on the farmland and assisted the military personnel on board. All personnel were said to have survived the incident.
Initial eyewitness accounts suggested that the helicopter had developed a technical problem. However, the Nigerian Air Force later clarified that the aircraft had been involved in an operation providing close air support to ground troops against suspected kidnappers in the Ogbadigbo area of Benue State.
According to the NAF, the pilot exercised professional discretion and made a precautionary landing about 10 nautical miles from the airfield after completing the operation while returning to base.
The Air Force said the landing was carried out in accordance with established operational and safety procedures, adding that the helicopter subsequently returned safely to base.
The incident comes shortly after the October 5 NAF aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State, which resulted in the deaths of all 25 personnel on board.
Unlike the Ondo crash, no fatalities or injuries were reported in the Makurdi incident.If you want it even more dramatic and clickable, I’d use: “Days After NAF Crash Killed 25, Another Military Helicopter Lands Unexpectedly in Benue”.
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