Foul Odour, Water Pollution At NAF Aircraft Crash Site; Ondo Orders Fumigation

By Ayodele Oni

Following complaints of foul odour and fears of possible pollution around the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft crash site in Igbokoda, Ondo State Government has ordered the fumigation of the river and the distribution of potable water to the residents .

The government also directed the distribution of nose masks and other health kits to residents of Igbokoda in Ilaje Local Government Area to protect them from potential health hazards arising from the incident.

The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Idowu Ajanaku, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, adding that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has directed the Ministries of Environment and Health to commence extensive fumigation of the river.

According to the statement, the intervention is aimed at preventing a possible outbreak of diseases, given the river’s importance to the livelihoods of residents of Igbokoda and neighbouring communities.

The governor also directed the Ilaje Local Government to arrange water tankers for the continuous distribution of potable water if assessments establish that the river is severely polluted and unsuitable for use.

The arrangement, the statement added, would remain in place pending a lasting solution to the pollution concerns.

Ajanaku said the governor has also reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to providing the necessary support to the Nigerian Air Force in its ongoing recovery operations, while ensuring the welfare and safety of residents of the affected community.

The latest intervention follows complaints by residents and the Olu of Igbokoda, Oba Afolabi Odidiomo, who called for the urgent removal of human remains from the crash site over an unbearable stench.

The monarch had said decomposing human remains and body parts were still floating in the river, raising concerns about the impact on the community and residents’ access to clean water.

“The odour is extremely offensive. So many parts of the human body are floating around in the river. Some of the bodies have not been recovered. They have decomposed, and it is affecting everything.”

Residents also reported that the offensive smell has spread across the community, including residential buildings, while expressing concern about possible contamination of water sources.

The NAF ATR-42 aircraft crashed into a swamp near the Nigerian Navy’s Forward Operating Base in Igbokoda on Monday, October 5, while on a mission from Benin City, Edo State, to Lagos.

All 25 people on board, comprising 20 passengers and five crew members, died in the incident.

Reacting to the environmental concerns, the Ondo State Commissioner for Environment, Tob Loko, assured that the government was assessing the environmental and public health impact of the crash to determine the extent of possible pollution and the necessary decontamination measures.

He said the state was collaborating with the Federal Government on recovery efforts and conducting a comprehensive assessment to address the concerns.