The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says one of its helicopters made a precautionary landing on a farmland in Benue State after completing a combat mission against suspected kidnappers.

The incident occurred on Wednesday in Utur Tse-Igboji community, Makurdi, shortly after the helicopter provided close air support to ground troops operating in Ogbadigbo Local Government Area, near the Enugu-Benue boundary.

NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the operation disrupted the activities of the suspected kidnappers and supported the advance of ground forces.

He said the pilot, while returning to base after the successful mission, exercised professional discretion and landed the helicopter about 10 nautical miles from the airfield, in line with established operational and safety procedures.

According to Ejodame, the helicopter has since returned safely to base.

The incident came two days after a NAF ATR-42 aircraft crashed in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, killing all 32 people on board.

The aircraft, with tail number NGR 931, crashed into a swamp opposite a naval base in the early hours of Monday. The tragedy prompted President Bola Tinubu to declare three days of national mourning for the 25 personnel and seven crew members who died in the crash.