10 days after NAF crash, Ondo communities petition Tinubu over pollution fears
By Boye Oyeyemi
Communities in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, have petitioned President Bola Tinubu over fears of environmental pollution following the crash of a Nigerian Air Force aircraft in the area.
The petition, signed by the Olu of Igbokoda, Afolabi Odidiomo, on behalf of the affected communities, was submitted through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. The residents called for urgent government intervention to assess and address potential environmental hazards arising from the incident.
In the petition, the communities expressed concerns that possible fuel leakage and other hazardous substances from the aircraft wreckage could contaminate water sources, harm aquatic life and threaten the livelihoods of residents who depend largely on fishing.
The aircraft crashed into a swamp in the area on October 5, killing 25 people. The petition followed more than a week of search and recovery operations, with concerns persisting over the retrieval of all the bodies and the recovery of the wreckage.
Consequently, the petitioners urged the relevant authorities to conduct a comprehensive environmental assessment, including laboratory tests on water and sediment samples. They also called for an evaluation of affected fishing grounds and an investigation to determine whether nearby waters remained safe for domestic use and fishing.
Beyond environmental testing, the communities requested medical assessments for residents who might have been exposed to hazardous substances, alongside clear public health advisories. They also sought assistance for anyone found to have suffered health or other consequences linked to the suspected contamination.
The petitioners further demanded a transparent compensation process for residents who could provide evidence of losses resulting from the incident, including damaged property, disrupted fishing activities, lost income and other verified expenses. They also called for the safe recovery of the aircraft wreckage, environmental clean-up where necessary and continued monitoring of affected areas.
The petition was copied to the chief of air staff, the ministers of defence and environment, the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, the National Emergency Management Agency and Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa. The communities requested a substantive written response within 30 days, detailing the measures taken, the agencies responsible and the timelines for resolving outstanding concerns.
