Nigerian Air Force Strikes Kidnapper Camps in Benue, Helicopter Lands Safely After Mission

An air force attack helicopter on operation. Illustrative photo, not a Nigerian Air Force image.

The Nigerian Air Force says it disrupted the activities of suspected kidnappers in the Ogbadigbo area of Benue State, near the boundary between Benue and Enugu, in an operation supporting troops on the ground.

In a statement on Thursday, the Air Force said its aircraft provided close air support to surface forces during the mission, helping them advance against the criminal elements. It said the operation was completed successfully.

On the return leg, the pilot exercised his professional discretion to carry out a precautionary landing about 10 nautical miles from the airfield, in line with established operational and safety procedures following combat missions. The helicopter has since returned to base.

"The NAF remains committed to sustaining pressure on criminal elements, providing close air support to surface forces and protecting communities through coordinated air and ground operations," the service's director of public relations and information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said in the statement.

He added that "the successful outcome underscores the NAF's continued resolve to deny criminal elements freedom of action and support efforts to restore safety and security to affected communities."

The operation comes in a busy week for Nigeria's security forces. The Army said troops of Operation HADIN KAI repelled a coordinated attack by Islamic State West Africa Province fighters on the 101 Special Forces Battalion in Kukawa, Borno State, killing more than 25 terrorists and recovering arms and ammunition, though it disclosed that some soldiers also lost their lives.

Separately, a joint team of troops, Department of State Services operatives and the Western Nigeria Security Network, also known as Amotekun, killed a senior ISWAP figure, Abdussamad Ohida, in a raid on a forest hideout in Owo, Ondo State. Officials said Ohida was planning attacks in southern states before the strike.

Source: This article is a rewrite of reporting by Channels Television.