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NAF acknowledges residents’ anxiety over offensive odour, fears of environmental contamination after aircraft crash.
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Air Force assures Igbokoda community that environmental and public health concerns will be addressed with relevant agencies.
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NAF says formal assessment will follow completion of ongoing search and wreckage recovery operations.
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Assurance comes after Ondo Government ordered river fumigation, potable water intervention over possible health risks.
October 15, (THEWILL) – The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has assured anxious residents of Igbokoda in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State that their environmental and public health concerns following the October 5 aircraft crash will be addressed in collaboration with relevant authorities.
The assurance followed growing complaints from residents about an offensive odour around the crash area and fears of possible environmental contamination, particularly of the river on which the coastal community depends for drinking, cooking, fishing and other daily activities.
NAF, while acknowledging the anxiety generated by the situation, said it would engage environmental and public health authorities to assess the area and coordinate necessary intervention after the ongoing search and recovery operation is completed.
Director of Public Relations and Information at NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, gave the assurance in a statement on Thursday.
“The Nigerian Air Force acknowledges the concerns expressed by residents of Igbokoda, Ondo State, particularly reports of an offensive odour and fears of possible environmental impact following the aircraft accident.
“The NAF recognises the discomfort, anxiety and uncertainty such circumstances may cause and assures the affected community that their concerns are being taken seriously,” Ejodame said.
The Air Force did not, however, confirm that the river or surrounding environment had been contaminated, stressing that an assessment by the appropriate authorities would be required to establish the situation.
Environmental Assessment After Recovery
According to the NAF, search and recovery operations remain its immediate priority, with relevant partner agencies working to ensure the safe and orderly retrieval of the aircraft wreckage.
“While search and recovery operations remain ongoing, the NAF continues to work in coordination with relevant partner agencies to ensure the safe and orderly recovery of the wreckage,” the statement said.
The Air Force said environmental and public health agencies would be brought into the process upon completion of the recovery operation.
“Upon completion of the recovery operation, the NAF will engage with the appropriate environmental and public health authorities and other relevant agencies to assess the situation and coordinate appropriate action to address any identified environmental concerns,” Ejodame added.
The position leaves the extent of any environmental impact to be determined through the proposed assessment rather than speculation arising from the offensive odour reported by residents.
NAF said it remained concerned about the wellbeing of people living in the affected area and would continue constructive engagement with relevant stakeholders.
“The NAF remains concerned about the wellbeing of the affected community and is committed to constructive engagement with relevant stakeholders to ensure that appropriate measures are taken in the interest of public health, safety and environmental wellbeing,” it said.
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Residents Raise Alarm Over River, Offensive Odour
The Air Force’s assurance follows mounting concerns in Igbokoda over the condition of the river around the area where the aircraft crashed.
Residents had complained of a strong stench and expressed fears that the accident and continuing recovery operation could have affected the water.
The traditional ruler of Igbokoda, Oba Afolabi Odidiomo, had warned about the potential consequences for residents, saying the river was central to everyday life in the community.
According to the monarch, residents rely on the water for drinking, cooking, and other domestic activities, while fishing is an important source of food and livelihood.
“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 had said.
The concerns prompted calls for urgent intervention because many residents have limited access to alternative sources of potable water.
Aiyedatiwa Orders Fumigation, Potable Water
Before the latest NAF assurance, Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, had ordered extensive fumigation of the Igbokoda River as a precaution against a possible outbreak of diseases.
The governor directed the state Ministries of Environment and Health to carry out the exercise following complaints about the strong stench.
State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Idowu Ajanaku, said the intervention was aimed at protecting residents because the river serves as an important source of livelihood for Igbokoda and neighbouring communities.
Aiyedatiwa also directed the Ilaje Local Government to arrange water tankers for the continuous distribution of potable water if assessments establish that the river has become severely polluted and unsuitable for use.
The governor further ordered the Ministries of Health and Environment to distribute nose masks and other essential health kits to residents to protect them against potential health hazards.
The state government said the potable water arrangement, where required, would continue pending a lasting intervention.
Background: October 5 ATR-42 Crash
The environmental concerns followed the October 5, 2026 accident involving a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft, NAF 931, at Igbokoda.
The aircraft was travelling from Benin City, Edo State, to Lagos when it crashed into swampy terrain in the coastal community.
The NAF subsequently confirmed that 25 people — five crew members and 20 passengers — were aboard the aircraft.
The accident triggered search and recovery operations involving military personnel, specialist teams and other relevant agencies.
However, the swampy terrain has complicated efforts to recover the wreckage, necessitating the deployment of specialist personnel and heavy equipment.
The continuing recovery operation has coincided with complaints of offensive odour from residents, escalating concerns about the possible environmental and public health consequences of the accident.
NAF Opens Investigation Into Crash
Alongside the recovery operation, the Nigerian Air Force has constituted a 12-member specialist Aircraft Accident Investigation Board to determine the circumstances and causes of the accident and recommend measures to prevent a recurrence.
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, ordered sustained recovery efforts and a comprehensive investigation into the crash.
Air Vice Marshal EOE Ebiowe, Head of the Investigation and Recovery Team, is coordinating the broader response, while Air Vice Marshal FO Ankeli serves as President of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Board.
The board comprises personnel with expertise in aviation operations, flight safety, piloting, air traffic control, aircraft engineering, maintenance and medical services, among other relevant disciplines.
Representatives of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) are also participating in the investigation.
The board is mandated to examine operational, technical, environmental, human and organisational factors surrounding the accident and establish its immediate and underlying causes.
It will also assess aspects of the emergency response, including search and rescue, medical response, recovery operations and management of the accident site.
NAF has cautioned that conclusions about the cause of the crash would be premature until the investigation is completed.
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