Ondo crash: Residents seek intervention over foul smell, declining fish catch

By Boye Oyeyemi

Residents of Igbokoda, in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, have appealed to the authorities to address lingering environmental concerns 17 days after a military aircraft crashed in the community.

They said an offensive smell continued to emanate from the crash site, while suspected water contamination had raised concerns about their health and affected fishing activities.

The Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft crashed in the riverine community on October 5, reportedly killing at least 25 people on board. Military personnel have since continued efforts to retrieve the wreckage and recover the victims’ remains.

Earlier, the state Commissioner for Environment, Tobi Loco, said the government planned to investigate possible air and water contamination before beginning comprehensive decontamination. He identified decomposing human remains and possible aviation fuel pollution as major concerns.

However, a local fisherman, Festus Ikumola, said residents were still awaiting effective intervention, adding that security operatives remained at the scene to facilitate recovery operations and restrict public access.

Ikumola lamented that the incident had affected his fishing business, claiming that the quantity of fish caught had declined. He urged the government to act swiftly to protect residents from potential health risks and restore confidence in the community’s water resources.

Another resident, Biodun, said the offensive smell persisted and expressed concern that the situation could worsen without prompt intervention. He appealed to the authorities to intensify efforts to address the environmental challenges facing the community.

Meanwhile, the state Commissioner for Information, Idowu Ajanaku, said the government had commenced fumigation at the site. He added that the initial phase began a few days earlier and was expected to be completed by Friday.