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Nigerian Air Force helicopter makes emergency landing in Makurdi
A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) helicopter made a precautionary emergency landing on farmland in the Utur Tse-Igboji area of Makurdi, Benue State, on Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, stated that the aircraft was returning to base after providing close air support to ground troops during an operation against suspected kidnappers in the Ogbadigbo area near the Enugu-Benue boundary. The pilot exercised professional discretion to execute the landing approximately 10 nautical miles from the airfield in accordance with safety procedures following a combat mission.
Local eyewitnesses reported that the aircraft appeared to encounter a technical fault, prompting the crew to maneuver the helicopter into an open field. All personnel on board survived the landing without injury. Residents of the nearby community rushed to the scene to assist the officers before military security teams arrived to secure the perimeter and inspect the aircraft.
Entities
Benue State · Ehimen Ejodame · Makurdi · Nigerian Air Force · Ondo State · Stephen Ikpam · Utur Tse-Igboji
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] A Nigerian Air Force helicopter made an emergency landing on farmland in Makurdi, Benue State, due to a technical fault. gwg.ng · 247ureports.com · www.naijanews.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] All personnel on board the helicopter survived the landing without injury. gwg.ng · 247ureports.com · www.naijanews.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The emergency landing occurred on October 7, 2026, in the Utur Tse-Igboji area of Makurdi. gwg.ng · 247ureports.com · www.naijanews.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] A Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft crashed in Ondo State on October 5, killing 25 people. gwg.ng · www.naijanews.com