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Health fears rise as stench from NAF crash site sparks concerns over contamination of Igbokoda river.
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Aiyedatiwa orders extensive fumigation to avert possible disease outbreak in coastal communities.
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Governor directs potable water supply if river, used for drinking and cooking, is declared unsafe.
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Ondo deploys protective health kits as difficult search, recovery operations continue at crash site.
October 14, (THEWILL) – Health concerns are mounting in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, following complaints of a strong stench and fears that the river serving the coastal community may have been contaminated by the Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash, prompting Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to order extensive fumigation and preparations for alternative potable water supply.
The intervention followed growing complaints from residents over the condition of the river after the NAF ATR-42 aircraft crashed into the swampy area on October 5, leaving the community worried about the safety of water relied upon for drinking, cooking, fishing and other daily activities.
The State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Idowu Ajanaku, in a statement on Wednesday, said Aiyedatiwa had directed the Ministries of Environment and Health to commence extensive fumigation of the river as part of measures to prevent a possible disease outbreak.
The governor also directed the Ilaje Local Government to arrange water tankers for the continuous distribution of potable water to residents if assessments establish that the river has become severely polluted and unsuitable for use.
“Following complaints by residents of Igbokoda over the strong stench emanating from the river where the Nigerian Air Force aircraft crashed last week, Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has directed the Ministries of Environment and Health to commence extensive fumigation of the river,” Ajanaku said.
He said the intervention was necessary because of the importance of the river to Igbokoda and surrounding communities.
“The directive is aimed at preventing a possible outbreak of diseases, as the river serves as a major source of livelihood for residents of Igbokoda and neighbouring communities,” the Commissioner added.
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Potable Water Supply If River Is Unsafe
As part of the emergency response, Aiyedatiwa directed the Ilaje council to make arrangements for water tankers that would continuously provide potable water to residents should assessments confirm that the river is severely polluted and unsuitable for domestic use.
“The governor also directed the Ilaje Local Government to arrange water tankers for the continuous distribution of potable water to residents if the river is found to be severely polluted and unsuitable for use,” the statement said.
Ajanaku said the arrangement would remain in place until a lasting intervention was provided to address the pollution concerns.
The governor further directed the Ministries of Health and Environment to distribute nose masks and other essential health kits to residents as protection against potential health hazards.
The measures represent the state’s attempt to prevent the aftermath of the aviation disaster from developing into a wider public health problem in a community where access to alternative sources of water is limited.
Residents Raise Alarm Over Stench
The intervention followed concerns raised by residents and the traditional leadership of Igbokoda over the condition of the river.
The traditional ruler of Igbokoda, Oba Afolabi Odidiomo, said residents depend heavily on the river and were increasingly worried that the aftermath of the crash had made it unsafe for everyday use.
According to the monarch, the river provides water for cooking, drinking and other domestic purposes, while fishing remains an important source of food and livelihood for residents.
“That is the water we fetch to cook. It is the water we drink from. It is the water we use for our day-to-day life. And if it is polluted today, the stench comes from dead bodies. It has infested the water,” Odidiomo said.
The military aircraft (ATR-42), with service number NAF 931, crashed on October 5, 2026, at Igbokoda in the Ilaje area of Ondo State while on a flight from Benin to Lagos.
Specialist divers from the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau have since recovered aircraft components from the crash site as efforts continue to retrieve additional wreckage and bodies of the victims
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
