NAF hits kidnappers’ hideout in Benue forest

The Nigerian Air Force, NAF, has hit a hideout of kidnappers in Ogbadigbo Local Government Area of Benue State.

The Director of Public Relations and Information, Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.

Ejodame said the NAF provided close air support to surface forces during an operation targeting suspected kidnappers in the area, which is close to the Enugu–Benue boundary.

According to him, the operation disrupted the activities of the criminal elements and supported the advance of surface forces.

The NAF spokesman stressed that after the completion of the mission, the pilot, while returning to base, exercised his professional discretion to execute a precautionary landing approximately 10 nautical miles from the airfield.

He added that this was in accordance with established operational and safety procedures following combat missions, noting that the helicopter had returned to base.

He reiterated the NAF’s commitment to sustaining pressure on criminal elements, providing close air support to surface forces and protecting communities through coordinated air and ground operations.

“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,” he said.