NAF Air Supports Disrupts Kidnappers in Benue Community

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) 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. The operation disrupted the activities of the criminal elements and supported the advance of surface forces.
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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 is in accordance with established operational and safety procedures following combat missions. The helicopter has returned to base.

NAF

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 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.

Ehimen Ejodame
Air Commodore
Director of Public Relations and Information,
Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force.

7 October 2026
Eereporter.com

Update: 10 Major Nigerian Air Force Crashes Since 1980

A Nigerian Air Force plane carrying 25 military and civilian passengers crashed in southwestern Ondo state on Monday, killing all on board.
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The accident was one of the worst air disasters in the country in recent years.

Here are some major air crashes involving the Air Force in Africa’s most populous nation, which has one of the strongest militaries on the continent.

1980
A Fokker F27 aircraft travelling from Lagos to the neighbouring island nation of Sao Tome crashed in Forcados in southern Delta state on May 26, killing all 30 people aboard. It was carrying a Nigerian delegation comprising government officials, army officers and journalists when it came down.

1992
A Lockheed C-130H Hercules transport plane crashed and killed all 159 passengers aboard in Ejigbo, Lagos, shortly after taking off from Lagos airport on September 26. Most of the passengers were military officers.

1997
A Dornier Do 128 plane used for training crashed and killed all three officials on it about three kilometres from the runway of the Kaduna airport on February 24.

2000
All six people on a Dornier Do 128 plane were killed when it crashed while approaching the runway at the Warri airport in oil-rich Delta state on October 26.

2006
An 18-seater Dornier 228 military transport plane carrying 15 senior army officers and three crew members crashed in Benue State on September 17. Three people survived the crash.

2015
A Dornier 228 plane went out of control shortly after taking off from a military air base in Kaduna and crashed into a house in a military cantonment, killing all the seven aboard.

2019
An attack helicopter providing support for troops fighting a jihadist insurgency in northeastern Nigeria crashed and killed all five people on board on January 2.

Nigerian Air Force Crashes

2021
On February 21, seven air force officials died when a Beechcraft King Air crashed en route Abuja airport after suffering engine failure on its way to central Niger state, where it was to go on a reconnaissance flight ahead of a mission to free kidnapped schoolgirls, according to the Nigeria Air Force.

2021
A Beechcraft King Air crashed in bad weather in May while trying to land at northern Kaduna state airport. All 11 people on board, including Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru, then commander of the country’s army, died in the crash.
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Cristiano Ronaldo Pays Tribute to Messi After Argentina Farewell

Cristiano Ronaldo has offered a public message of respect to longtime rival Lionel Messi following the Argentine’s emotional farewell from international football.
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Messi played his final match for Argentina on Tuesday night, scoring once and providing two assists in a 3-0 friendly victory over Benin at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. The 39-year-old, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in football history, described the occasion as “the saddest day of my career” after more than two decades representing his country.

In a comment on Messi’s Instagram post marking the end of his international journey on Wednesday, Ronaldo wrote: “Leo, so many years defending your country and a story that will live on forever. You have all my respect for everything you’ve achieved with Argentina. A hug.”

The Portuguese star’s words were widely reported on Wednesday, including by Spanish newspaper Marca, which noted that mutual respect has long existed between the two icons despite their intense on-pitch rivalry spanning more than 15 years.

Messi announced his retirement from the Argentina national team in late August, shortly after the side’s 2026 World Cup final defeat to Spain. He cited the emotional and physical toll of the tournament, which coincided with the illness and subsequent death of his father, Jorge Messi, as factors in his decision.

FIFA Eyes Ronaldo To Boost Club World Cup

Ronaldo and Messi have frequently exchanged words of admiration in recent years, including Ronaldo’s message of support after the death of Messi’s father earlier this year.

Their latest exchange comes as both players, now in the later stages of their careers, continue to draw global attention, Messi with Inter Miami and Ronaldo with Al-Nassr.

The tribute underscores a shared recognition of extraordinary careers defined by excellence, longevity and national service.
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