The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said it has successfully provided close air support to surface forces during an operation targeting suspected kidnappers in the Ogbadigbo area of Benue State, near the Enugu–Benue boundary.
It said that the operation disrupted the activities of the criminal elements and supported the advance of surface forces.
The Air Force said that following the successful completion of the mission, the pilot, on return to base, exercised his professional discretion to execute a precautionary landing approximately 10 nautical miles from the airfield.
This, according to NAF, was in accordance with established operational and safety procedures following combat missions.
It, however, said that the helicopter has 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,” Director of Public Relations and Information, Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said in a statement on Thursday.
“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.”
This came as the Nigerian Army said troops of Operation HADIN KAI crushed a coordinated multi-directional assault by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in Kukawa, Borno State.
The operation led to the killing of over 25 terrorists and the recovery of arms and ammunition during a fierce counter-offensive.
The army said that the terrorists, who attacked troops of the 101 Special Forces Battalion in large numbers from four different flanks, met stiff resistance as the troops responded decisively with superior firepower, tactical manoeuvre and effective battlefield coordination.
It, however, disclosed that some gallant soldiers paid the supreme sacrifice during the encounter.
On Monday, an intelligence-led operation by a combined team of troops of the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS) personnel, and Western Nigeria Security Network aka Amotekun officers, at the weekend in Owo forest, Ondo State, neutralised a senior leader of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), identified as one Abdussamad Ohida.
Ohida, who was reportedly on the verge of planning massive terrorist attacks in some southern states, was eliminated alongside many members of the terrorist organisation by the security forces, who led a surprise attack on their forest hideout.
