Residents of Igbokoda, a riverside community in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, say human remains from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) plane crash are still being sighted in a nearby river more than a week after the accident, and they are calling for government intervention to recover the remains and clean up the environment.
Crash Details and Ongoing Sighting of Remains
The NAF ATR-42, with registration NAF 931, crashed into a swamp near the Air Force's forward operating base in Igbokoda on 5 October while flying from Benin City to Lagos. All 25 people on board—five crew members and 20 passengers—were killed. The aircraft is reported to still be submerged in the swamp.
Residents have complained about a persistent stench and visible traces of fuel in the water. The Olu of Igbokoda, Oba Afolabi Odidiomo, said the stench from the crash site has spread into residential areas and has become unbearable. He noted that some victims' remains had not been recovered and were still being seen in the river, with fuel traces visible on the water some distance from the wreckage.
Community Calls for Environmental and Health Action
Residents say the smell has persisted since the crash, even inside homes. Omogbemi Damilola, a resident, said a community still struggling to come to terms with the tragedy should not have to bear more hardship. Another resident, Oroyo Levy, urged authorities to examine the environmental impact and protect public health.
The monarch asked the government to recover the remaining remains and debris, contain the fuel, start an environmental clean-up, and provide safe water for residents while recovery work continues. Residents also asked the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), and environmental agencies to act so the aftermath does not lead to waterborne diseases. The disease risk is a fear for now, and none of the reports seen confirm an outbreak.
Government Response and Investigation Efforts
Ondo's Commissioner for Environment, Tob Loko, said the state is working with the Federal Government to assess the public health impact and plan decontamination, describing the area as "surely contaminated." He disputed claims that residents have no drinking water, saying the river is not their usual source and that boreholes are available.
The Air Force has set up a 12-member Aircraft Accident Investigation Board, with Air Vice Marshal Francis Ankeli as president, and a separate Investigation and Recovery Team led by Air Vice Marshal Ebimobo Ebiowe. Representatives of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) sit on the board, and the Chief of the Air Staff has directed sustained search and recovery efforts.
Legislative Scrutiny and Next Steps
The Senate and the House of Representatives have also called for an audit of the airworthiness of NAF aircraft, and senators asked the Air Force to submit its aircraft maintenance budget records. The recovery and clean-up efforts remain ongoing as authorities work to address the community's concerns.
