By TheDailyNewsHub Reporter
The Nigerian Air Force has assured residents of Igbokoda, in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, that it will engage relevant authorities to assess and address environmental and public health concerns arising from the crash of its aircraft in the community.
The assurance follows complaints about a persistent foul smell around the crash site and fears that the incident could affect the river system on which residents depend for their daily activities.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, October 15, the Director of Public Relations and Information of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the service recognised the anxiety experienced by residents and was taking their concerns seriously.
The NAF said search and recovery operations remained ongoing, adding that it was working with partner agencies to ensure the safe and orderly recovery of the aircraft wreckage.
It explained that environmental and public health authorities would be engaged to assess the affected area after the recovery operation had been completed. Any necessary intervention, the Force said, would be guided by the findings of the assessment.
The statement did not confirm that the river had been contaminated or provide results of any environmental tests. The extent of any possible pollution therefore remains to be established by the relevant authorities.
The concerns have become increasingly urgent for residents because of the river’s importance to the coastal community. Reports by TheCable and the International Centre for Investigative Reporting indicate that the traditional ruler of Igbokoda, Oba Afolabi Odidiomo, had raised concerns about the offensive odour and the possibility that the water system could be affected by the crash and recovery operations.
The community’s concerns include the possibility of contamination from aviation fuel and human remains at the swampy crash site. These fears have not, however, been established as confirmed environmental findings.
In response to the situation, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa directed the state ministries responsible for health and the environment to undertake fumigation around the affected river area. He also directed the Ilaje Local Government Council to arrange tankers for the distribution of potable water if assessments establish that the river is severely polluted and unsuitable for use.
The state government also announced plans to provide nose masks and other essential health supplies to residents as a precaution against potential health risks.
The incident followed the October 5 crash of a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft, designated NAF 931, in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State. The aircraft was travelling from Benin City in Edo State to Lagos when the accident occurred. The crash triggered a search-and-rescue operation, as reported in TheDailyNewsHub’s earlier coverage of the NAF aircraft crash in Ondo State.
The Air Force subsequently confirmed that 25 people were aboard the aircraft, comprising 20 passengers and five crew members. The Defence Headquarters also expressed condolences to the victims’ families and ordered an investigation into the tragedy, as detailed in this report on the military’s response to the fatal NAF ATR-42 crash.
The NAF has also established a 12-member board of inquiry to determine the cause of the crash and recommend measures to prevent a recurrence. The cause of the accident has not been established in the information released so far.
For Igbokoda residents, the immediate concern extends beyond the aircraft investigation to the safety of the local environment and the protection of public health. The river system supports livelihoods and daily activities in the coastal community, making an evidence-based assessment important to determining whether further protective measures are necessary.
The Air Force said it remained committed to engaging with relevant stakeholders and addressing any environmental concerns identified by the appropriate authorities. Residents will now await the completion of recovery operations and the findings of the proposed assessment.