The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has confirmed that one of its helicopters made a precautionary landing in Benue State after providing close air support to ground troops during an operation against suspected kidnappers.   The helicopter landed on farmland in the Utur Tse-Igboji community of Makurdi, according to eyewitnesses. NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Ehimen Ejodame, said the operation targeted suspected kidnappers in Ogbadigbo Local Government Area, near the Enugu-Benue boundary. According to Ejodame, the operation disrupted the activities of the criminal elements and supported the advance of ground troops. He said the pilot later exercised his professional discretion to make a precautionary landing about 10 nautical miles from the airfield while returning to base. “This is in accordance with established operational and safety procedures following combat missions,” Ejodame said. The NAF said the helicopter has since returned to base. The incident comes two days after a NAF aircraft crashed in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State. The ATR-42 aircraft, with tail number NGR 931, was carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members when it plunged into a swamp opposite a naval base in the early hours of Monday. The NAF said no survivors had been found following the crash, which prompted President Bola Tinubu to declare three days of national mourning for the personnel who died.