The traditional ruler of Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, Afolabi Odidiomo, has raised concerns over a possible public-health crisis following the crash of a Nigerian Air Force aircraft in the community, alleging that decomposing remains of victims are polluting a river linked to the area’s drinking-water supply.
Odidiomo, who spoke in an interview with PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday, said the stench from the crash site has become unbearable, while residents are worried about the possible effects of the incident on their health and the environment.
The NAF 931 aircraft, carrying 25 personnel, crashed into the Igbokoda swamps on October 5, 2026, while on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos. The NAF said no survivors had been found, while search-and-rescue operations were immediately activated in coordination with relevant authorities.
The Chief of Air Staff, Kelvin Aneke, has directed a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash. The Ondo State Government has also deployed two specialised swamp buggies to support efforts to recover the aircraft wreckage. As of the time of filing this report, no bodies had been recovered.
Odidiomo said the situation had made the river unsafe for residents, including children who usually swim there after school. He also alleged that fish were dying in the water and warned that contamination could result from decomposing remains, aircraft oil or other pollutants.
“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.
“Going close to the river is so scary now for children who usually go to swim when they return from school, because they see human flesh everywhere as they swim. Fish are also dying everywhere.”
He said the river was connected to the community’s drinking-water supply, explaining that water from the area is pumped to a treatment facility at Aboto, about seven kilometres away. He called on the government to carry out an urgent clean-up and environmental remediation to prevent a wider health crisis.
“We are asking the government for cleanup. We are asking the government for remediation, a kind of restoration of the environment,” he said.
Residents have also expressed concern over the persistent odour since the crash. Omogbemi Damola said unpleasant smells had been carried by the breeze into homes for at least four days, while Oroyo Levy described the situation as a public-health concern, particularly for children and other vulnerable residents.
The residents called on the National Emergency Management Agency, the Ondo State Emergency Management Agency and relevant environmental authorities to intervene and address the situation.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force said on Wednesday that specialist divers from the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority were continuing underwater search and recovery operations at the crash site.
In a post on X, the NAF said multi-agency teams were working day and night, using hydrographic surveys, satellite-based search-and-rescue imagery, mud excavation and the pumping of excess water to gain access to relevant areas.
The Air Force added that additional aircraft components had been recovered as efforts continued to locate and retrieve materials for documentation and preservation in support of the investigation.
In a separate statement on Tuesday, NAF spokesperson Ehimen Ejodame said the service recognised the public’s interest in the recovery process and would provide updates as verified information became available. He added that 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,” Ejodame said.
Boluwatife Enome
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