MAKURDI, NIGERIA — A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) helicopter was forced to make an emergency precautionary landing on farmland in the Utur Tse-Igboji area of Makurdi, Benue State, following a technical fault encountered in flight.
The incident occurred along the Welfare Quarters to Mopol 13 Ring Road corridor in the Bar Council Ward of Makurdi metropolis.
Precautionary Landing Averts Tragedy
According to local eyewitnesses and community residents who rushed to the scene, the flight crew managed to maneuver the aircraft onto open farmland after detecting mechanical trouble, preventing a destructive crash.
All officers and crew members on board survived the landing unhurt and exited the aircraft safely.
An eyewitness at the site, Stephen Ikpam, described the moment the helicopter touched down, expressing relief that what could have been a fatal aviation disaster was averted.
“All lives on board were saved when a Nigerian Air Force helicopter made an emergency landing on our farmland due to a technical fault,” Ikpam reported from the scene. “We all rushed to the scene to support the officers on board, and to the glory of God, they all came out alive.”
Community Rallies To Assist Crew
Following the successful forced landing, residents from neighboring communities gathered around the site to offer support to the Air Force personnel before military security teams arrived to secure the perimeter and inspect the aircraft.
Technicians and safety inspection officers are expected to evaluate the nature of the mechanical fault before facilitating the recovery or repair of the helicopter.
