Igbokoda cleanup gains urgency as the Olugbo appeals to Tinubu over reported water pollution, health concerns and fishermen’s losses after the Ondo air crash

The Olugbo of Ugboland, Oba Fredrick Obateru Akinruntan, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Ministry of Environment to accelerate the cleanup of communities affected by the Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area, Ondo State, on Friday, October 30, 2026, warning that persistent pollution concerns are threatening residents’ health, access to clean water and fishing livelihoods.

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The monarch’s appeal comes 25 days after the October 5 crash, which claimed the lives of all 25 people aboard the military aircraft and left residents concerned about the environmental consequences of the accident.

In a statement issued by his media aide, Sesan Forolagba, Akinruntan said the affected communities urgently required federal intervention to address the reported contamination of local water bodies and the offensive odour emanating from the crash site.

The traditional ruler, who led members of the Olugbo-in-Council and other monarchs to the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base in Igbokoda, called on the President and the Environment Minister to ensure that a comprehensive environmental response was prioritised.

Speaking on behalf of the affected communities, Akinruntan said: “We are making this passionate appeal on behalf of the good people of Ugboland to our dear President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Minister for Environment.”

He added: “We urgently need the Federal Government’s immediate attention and assistance to clean up our environment. The water we drink and use for fishing has been tainted while the air pollution is worsening by the day. We need your rescue now.”

The monarch’s intervention reflects growing concern among residents of the riverine communities, where fishing and other water-dependent activities provide important sources of income and sustenance.

Since the accident, residents have reported a persistent foul smell around the crash site, alongside concerns about possible contamination from aviation fuel and unrecovered human remains.

The concerns have also affected local fishermen, who say the disruption to fishing activities has placed additional financial pressure on households already struggling with the aftermath of the tragedy.

The Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft, operating as Flight NAF 931, crashed into a swampy area in Igbokoda on October 5 while undertaking a routine mission from Benin City to Lagos.

The aircraft was carrying 20 passengers and five crew members. None survived.

The accident prompted a major search and recovery operation involving military personnel, the Nigerian Navy, police and other relevant authorities. The difficult swamp terrain has complicated efforts to retrieve the wreckage and account for all the remains.

On October 13, the Nigerian Air Force announced the establishment of a 12-member Aircraft Accident Investigation Board to determine the circumstances and causes of the crash and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents.

The environmental concerns emerged alongside the recovery operation, with residents calling for urgent intervention to prevent further damage to their surroundings.

The Olu of Igbokoda, Oba Afolabi Odidiomo, had earlier raised concerns about possible contamination of the river connected to the community’s drinking water supply.

In an interview with Premium Times published on October 14, the monarch warned that the river could have been affected by decaying human remains and possible fuel leakage from the aircraft.

He explained that the same water body served as an important source of domestic water for residents, raising concerns about the potential consequences of continued exposure.

The complaints subsequently prompted intervention from the Ondo State Government.

On October 14, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa directed the state ministries responsible for environment and health to commence fumigation around the affected river and provide protective health materials, including nose masks, to residents.

The governor also directed the Ilaje Local Government Council to arrange water tankers for the distribution of potable water if assessments established that the river was severely polluted and unsuitable for domestic use.

The Nigerian Air Force also acknowledged the community’s concerns on October 15, assuring residents that it would work with relevant environmental and public health authorities to assess the situation and coordinate appropriate remedial action after the recovery operation.

The military’s position placed particular emphasis on completing the recovery exercise before undertaking a broader environmental assessment.

However, the continuing complaints suggest that residents remain concerned about the pace and adequacy of the response.

The situation has also drawn attention to the vulnerability of coastal communities whose livelihoods depend heavily on rivers, creeks and surrounding waterways.

For fishermen in Igbokoda and neighbouring settlements, prolonged uncertainty over water quality could have consequences beyond the immediate crash site, affecting fishing activities, household incomes and confidence in local food sources.

Akinruntan, while commending the armed forces for their efforts during the recovery operation, stressed that the humanitarian and environmental consequences required equally urgent attention.

He maintained that the Federal Government’s intervention was necessary to protect public health and restore normal economic activities in the affected communities.

Responding to concerns about the cleanup, Ondo State Commissioner for Information, Mr Idowu Ajanaku, said the state government had commenced efforts to sanitise the affected environment.

“The efforts are ongoing, the fumigation is going on, we have begun and it would be completed,” Ajanaku said.

His statement indicates that some remedial activities are under way, although it does not establish the extent of the environmental work completed or whether independent water-quality assessments have confirmed that the affected waterways are safe for domestic and fishing purposes.

The distinction is important because fumigation alone may not address every potential source of contamination following an aircraft crash involving fuel, wreckage and human remains.

A comprehensive response would ordinarily require environmental sampling, identification of possible contaminants, appropriate treatment or removal of affected materials, and independent confirmation that water sources are safe for community use.

The concerns also raise questions about the need for sustained monitoring after the immediate recovery operation ends, particularly given the dependence of Ilaje communities on their surrounding waterways.

For residents, the priority is not simply the removal of the aircraft wreckage but the restoration of safe living conditions and the protection of livelihoods that have been disrupted by the tragedy.

The Federal Government’s response will therefore be important in determining whether the affected communities receive the environmental assistance, public health safeguards and economic support required to recover.

As recovery and investigation efforts continue, the monarch’s appeal has renewed pressure on the relevant authorities to move beyond assurances and ensure that the environmental consequences of the October 5 disaster are properly addressed.

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For the people of Igbokoda and surrounding Ugboland communities, the need for clean water, a safe environment and the restoration of fishing activities remains an immediate concern.