•Stephen Ikpam, an eyewitness, at the scene

Another tragedy involving a Nigerian Air Force helicopter was averted in Markurdi following an emergency landing of the aircraft on a farmland due to a technical fault.

Eyewitness report told Ohibaba.con that the incident occured Wednesday at Utur Tse-Igboji, Bar Council Ward, Makurdi along Welfare Quarters to Mopol 13 Ring Road. No lives were lost.

“We all rushed to the scene to support the officers on board, and to the glory of God, they all came out alive. It would have been a double tragedy if the helicopter had crashed, “ said one Stephen Ikpam.

The military, Department of State Services, DSS, police and other security agencies have rescued twenty prospective National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, members and one civilian abducted in Imo State.

The victims were reportedly abducted while travelling through the state, prompting security agencies to launch an operation to locate and rescue them.

The rescued victims are currently receiving medical attention at a DSS facility, according to security sources, while efforts are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the abduction and apprehend any remaining suspects.

Top military chiefs have visited the crash site of the Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft in Igbokoda, Ondo State.

The Western Naval Command FOC, Rear Admiral Abubakar Mustapha and Logistics Command AOC, Air Vice Marshal Abubakar Abdul Suleh led the visit to inspect ongoing recovery efforts.

To locate the submerged aircraft, teams have deployed advanced underwater sonar equipment and drones across the difficult mangrove terrain.

The Nigerian Navy has also brought in specialized hydrographic divers to map the murky waters while plans are underway to use swamp buggies for excavation.

Rear Admiral Mustapha thanked the Ondo State Government, local communities and emergency agencies for their support while appealing to the public to remain calm as the operation continues.