Residents of Igbokoda in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State have raised concerns over possible public health risks following the Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash on October 5, with the remains of the 25 victims still unrecovered nine days after the incident.
The community has complained of an increasingly offensive stench around the crash site, with residents and local leaders expressing fears of environmental contamination from decomposing human remains and spilled aviation fuel.
The monarch of Igbokoda, Oba Afolabi Odidiomo, has appealed to the Federal and Ondo State governments to accelerate recovery operations and urgently address the suspected pollution. The Ondo State Commissioner for Environment, Tob Loko, said the government was assessing the environmental impact and potential health risks to determine appropriate measures.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force says it has intensified search and recovery efforts and established a 12-member board to investigate the crash. The panel will examine the technical, operational and human factors surrounding the incident, assess the emergency response and recommend measures to prevent a recurrence.
The Senate has also called for a comprehensive audit of the Air Force’s aircraft fleet and maintenance funding, while the House of Representatives has demanded an independent investigation into the crash.
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