Residents of Igbokoda in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State have expressed concern over the persistent foul smell and suspected water contamination at the site of a military aircraft crash, 17 days after the incident.
The residents said the situation had affected their fishing activities and disrupted their daily lives, urging the Federal Government and the Ondo State Government to intensify efforts to sanitise the affected environment and prevent a possible disease outbreak.
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 been engaged in recovering the remains of the victims and the wreckage.
The Ondo State Government had earlier announced plans to fumigate the area following reports of an offensive odour and concerns about possible environmental pollution. The Commissioner for Environment, Tobi Loco, said the government was preparing to assess the extent of contamination and conduct tests on the air and water.
Loco explained that the incomplete recovery of human remains, coupled with the possibility of aviation fuel and other hazardous substances entering the surrounding water, raised environmental concerns. He added that the findings of the assessment would guide subsequent decontamination measures to protect residents and their sources of livelihood.
However, a fisherman, Festus Ikumola, said residents were yet to notice significant progress in the promised intervention, claiming that security personnel remained at the crash site while civilians were barred from approaching the area.
Ikumola appealed to the authorities to expedite the fumigation exercise, warning that prolonged exposure to the suspected contamination could pose health risks. He also lamented a decline in his fishing catch, attributing the development to possible changes in the condition of the water.
Another resident, who identified himself as Biodun, said the offensive smell had persisted and called on the government to step up its response before the situation deteriorated further.
In response, the Commissioner for Information, Idowu Ajanaku, insisted that the government was addressing the environmental concerns. He said the first phase of the fumigation exercise had commenced a few days earlier and was expected to be completed by Friday.
