A Nigerian Air Force helicopter on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, reportedly made an emergency landing in a farmland in Makurdi, Benue State, after developing a technical fault.
The incident reportedly occurred around Utur Tse-Igboji in Bar Council Ward, along the Welfare Quarters–Mopol 13 Ring Road area of Makurdi.
According to an eyewitness, Stephen Ikpam, who said he was at the scene, residents rushed to the location after the helicopter made the emergency landing.
Ikpam said, fortunately, all the officers aboard the aircraft survived the incident and were able to come out of the helicopter safely.
In a message shared from the scene, he wrote:
“Today, 7th October, 2026, my community of Utur Tse-Igboji, Bar Council Ward, Makurdi, along Welfare Quarters to Mopol 13 Ring Road, almost witnessed a tragedy.
“By the grace of God, all lives on board were saved when a Nigerian Air Force helicopter made an emergency landing on our 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.
“We thank God for sparing their lives.”
The eyewitness further prayed for the safety of security personnel serving across the country.
As of the time of filing this report, details about the helicopter, the number of people on board and the extent of any damage to the aircraft had not been independently confirmed.
The incident comes just days after a Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash in Ondo State claimed the lives of 25 people, making Wednesday’s emergency landing another aviation incident involving a military aircraft that has drawn public attention.
Further details are expected from the Nigerian Air Force as investigations continue.
