Tragedy was averted on Tuesday, October 7, 2026, when a Nigerian Air Force helicopter made an emergency landing in a community in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
The incident occurred at Utur Tse-Igboji, Bar Council Ward, along the Welfare Quarters to Mopol 13 Ring Road, Makurdi, when the aircraft developed a technical fault mid-air.
According to eyewitness account from the scene, the helicopter was forced to land on a farmland in the community.
Villagers who saw the aircraft descending were said to have rushed to the scene to offer support to the officers on board.
To the glory of God, all personnel on board came out alive and unhurt, averting what could have been a double tragedy if the helicopter had crashed into residential buildings.
The development threw the community into panic initially, but calm was restored after it was confirmed that no life was lost.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian Air Force is yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
A resident who reported live from the scene, Stephen Ikpam, said: “We thank God for sparing their lives. May God continue to protect our security officers.”