The traditional ruler of Igbokoda in Ondo State has raised concerns over possible water contamination following the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft crash in the community, warning of potential public health risks.
Afolabi Odidiomo, the monarch of Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area, said decomposing bodies and possible fuel contamination from the crash could be polluting the community’s water sources.
He spoke in an interview with PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday, calling on the government to urgently clean up the affected environment and protect residents from a possible health crisis.
The NAF 931 aircraft, carrying 25 people, crashed into the swampy area of Igbokoda on October 5, 2026. No survivors have been found, according to Ehimen Ejodame, the Director of Public Relations and Information at the Nigerian Air Force.
Ejodame said the aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred.
Search-and-rescue operations were activated immediately, while the Chief of the Air Staff, Kelvin Aneke, ordered a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The Ondo State Government subsequently deployed two specialised swamp buggies to support efforts to retrieve the aircraft wreckage. However, no bodies had been recovered as of the time of filing this report.
Monarch Warns of Water Contamination
Odidiomo said the crash had raised serious concerns about the safety of water used by residents for domestic purposes.
He alleged that human remains were scattered across parts of the river, creating a persistent stench and raising fears of environmental contamination.
“The concern of everybody in this community today is that our government spent time, energy, money, and effort looking for people that had been chopped into pieces by the crash. The pieces that are floating everywhere in our rivers. The pieces that have decayed left so much stench that is unbelievable,” the monarch said.
He added that the situation had made the river unsafe for children who usually swim there after school.
“Fish are also dying everywhere,” he said, expressing concern about the impact of the incident on the community’s aquatic environment.
According to the monarch, the river is connected to a water supply system that serves residents through a treatment facility at Aboto, about seven kilometres away.
He said the water supply was intermittent but warned that possible contamination from decomposing remains, aircraft fuel and other pollutants could threaten residents’ health.
Residents Demand Urgent Environmental Cleanup
The monarch urged the government to begin an immediate cleanup and environmental remediation exercise to prevent a possible epidemic.
He also questioned why measures had not been taken to protect residents from potential contamination while recovery operations continued.
Odidiomo said authorities could have cordoned off the affected area to limit the spread of pollutants into the main river.
“We are asking the government for cleanup. We are asking the government for remediation, a kind of restoration of the environment,” he said.
He added that the restoration should also serve as a memorial to those who died in the crash.
Residents have also complained about the persistent stench since the incident.
Omogbemi Damola, a resident, said unpleasant odours had been carried by the breeze into homes for several days.
“What happened in Igbokoda is a very sad experience. Since the accident occurred, different kinds of unpleasant odours have been carried by the breeze into our homes. I live upstairs, and I have been perceiving the smell for at least four days now,” she said.
Another resident, Oroyo Levy, described the situation as a public health concern, particularly for children and other vulnerable people.
“We are appealing to government to act swiftly to contain the odour and prevent it from posing further health risks. The smell suggests air pollution, and we are worried about its effect, especially on children,” Levy said.
The residents called on the National Emergency Management Agency, the Ondo State Emergency Management Agency and relevant environmental authorities to intervene and prevent the aftermath of the crash from developing into a wider public health crisis.
NAF Continues Underwater Search and Recovery
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force said on Wednesday that specialist divers from the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) were continuing underwater search and recovery operations at the crash site.
In a post on X, the NAF said multi-agency teams were working around the clock, using hydrographic surveys, satellite-based search-and-rescue imagery, mud excavation and water-pumping operations to reach relevant areas.
The agency also disclosed that additional aircraft components had been recovered as efforts continued to locate and retrieve materials for documentation and preservation as part of the investigation.
In a separate statement on Tuesday, Ejodame said the NAF recognised the public’s interest in the investigation and remained committed to providing updates as verified information became available.
However, he said sensitive investigative information would be protected to preserve the integrity of the proceedings.
“Conclusions regarding the cause of the accident would be premature until the investigation is completed and its findings are duly considered,” he said.
The recovery operation continues as residents await urgent measures to address their concerns about water safety and the environmental impact of the crash.
