Ondo Governor Orders River Fumigation After Air Crash

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has ordered the fumigation of the Igbokoda River and the distribution of nose masks and other health supplies to residents following complaints about a strong smell coming from the site of last week’s Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash.

The directive comes amid growing concerns about possible water pollution and health risks in Igbokoda, the headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, as recovery operations continue at the crash site.

The state government said the measures were necessary to protect residents from possible health problems linked to the incident.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Idowu Ajanaku, said Aiyedatiwa had instructed the Ministries of Environment and Health to begin extensive fumigation of the river.

The government took the decision after residents raised concerns about the offensive odour coming from the water where the aircraft crashed on October 5.

The Igbokoda River serves as an important source of livelihood for residents of the community and neighbouring areas, making concerns about possible contamination particularly serious.

Apart from ordering the fumigation, the governor directed the Ilaje Local Government Area to make arrangements for water tankers to supply clean drinking water to affected residents if investigations show that the river has been severely polluted and is no longer safe for use.

The water supply arrangement is expected to remain in place until a lasting solution is found to the pollution concerns.

Aiyedatiwa also instructed the Ministries of Health and Environment to distribute nose masks and other essential health supplies to residents to help protect them from possible environmental hazards.

The state government said it would continue to provide the necessary assistance to the Nigerian Air Force as recovery operations progress. It also assured residents that their safety and welfare remained a priority.

The crash involved a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft with registration number NAF 931, which went down in a swampy area of Igbokoda on October 5.

The aircraft was reportedly on a routine mission from Benin City, Edo State, to Lagos when the incident occurred. All 25 people on board, including five crew members and 20 passengers, were reported dead.