By Sunday Ogli, Makurdi
Tragedy was averted on Wednesday as a Nigerian Airforce helicopter returning from an operation along the Benue-Enugu border was forced to make an emergency landing in a farm in Makurdi, Benue state capital.
This is coming barely a few days after the Nigerian Air Force, ATR-42 aircraft crashed and killed 25 personnel on board in Igbokoda area of Ondo State.
The Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Airforce, Air Commodore, Ehimen Ejodame confirmed the emergency landing in Makurdi on a statement on Thursday.
Ejodame explained that the helicopter had successfully disrupted the activities of the criminal elements in Ogbadibo local government area of Benue state to advance surface force and on return, the pilot had to exercise his professional discretion to execute a precautionary landing approximately 10 miles from the airfield.
The statement read in parts: “the helicopter had successfully provided close air support to surface forces during an operation targeting suspected kidnappers in the Ogbadigbo area of Benue State, near the Enugu–Benue boundary. The operation disrupted the activities of the criminal elements and supported the advance of surface forces.
“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.
“This is in accordance with established operational and safety procedures following combat missions. The helicopter has returned to base.
“The NAF remains committed to sustaining pressure on criminal elements, providing close air support to surface forces and protecting communities through coordinated air and ground operations.
” The successful outcome underscores the NAF’s continued resolve to deny criminal elements freedom of action and support efforts to restore safety and security to affected communities.
It was learnt that the helicopter had on Wednesday night forced to land at Utur Tse-Igboji, Bar Council Ward, along Welfare Quarter, Makurdi.
An eyewitness in his Facebook account claimed that the Nigerian Air Force T-129 ATAK helicopter made an emergency landing on a farmland due to a technical fault.
“We all rushed to the scene to support the officers on board, and to the glory of God, they all came out alive. It would have been a double tragedy if the helicopter had crashed into our homes”, the eyewitness claimed.
