Ondo Crash: Residents Fear Disease Outbreak As Body Parts Float

Residents of Igbokoda in Ilaje LGA of Ondo State have raised health concerns over a foul odour emanating from the site of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft crash.

They called on the government to expedite recovery operations and urgently address possible environmental pollution.

The NAF ATR-42 aircraft, which was on a mission from Benin City, Edo State, to Lagos, crashed into a swamp near the Nigerian Air Force Forward Operating Base in Igbokoda on Monday, October 5, claiming 25 lives.

The crash prompted search and recovery operations involving military personnel and other emergency agencies.

The aircraft remains submerged in the swamp, with residents expressing concern over the failure to recover the bodies and the possible effects of the incident on the surrounding environment.

The residents said the stench, which they attributed to decomposing human remains yet to be recovered from the swamp, had spread across the community, raising concerns about air quality, water contamination and potential health risks.

The aircraft remains submerged in the swamp, with residents expressing concern over the failure to recover the bodies and the possible effects of the incident on the surrounding environment.

The traditional ruler of Igbokoda, Oba Afolabi Odidiomo, described the odour as unbearable, attributing it to decomposing human remains believed to be scattered around the crash site.

“The odour is extremely offensive. We are now seeing some inner parts of the human body floating around in the river. Some of the bodies have not been recovered. They have decomposed, and it is affecting everything,” he said.

Odidiomo also raised concerns over suspected fuel spillage, saying traces of fuel could be seen on the river some distance from the crash site.

He said the situation had heightened residents’ concerns about access to clean water for domestic use, including cooking, and called for urgent intervention to prevent further environmental damage.

He urged the government to recover the remaining human remains and aircraft debris, contain any pollution and commence an immediate environmental clean-up.

A resident, Omogbemi Damilola, said the unpleasant odour had persisted since the crash, affecting residents even inside their homes.

She said residents, who were already struggling to come to terms with the tragedy, should not be left to endure additional hardship arising from its aftermath.

“We are appealing to the government to act swiftly to contain the odour and prevent it from posing further health risks to people living in the community,” another resident, Oroyo Levy, said.

Responding to the concerns, the Ondo State Commissioner for Environment, Tob Loko, said the state government was collaborating with the Federal Government to assess the environmental impact of the crash and determine appropriate decontamination measures.

“Shortly afterwards, concerns about pollution were raised. What we are trying to do is make a heuristic assessment of the level of public health impact and determine how we can embark on decontamination efforts because the surrounding area is surely contaminated,” the commissioner said.

Loko, however, disputed claims that the crash had deprived residents of access to drinking water, explaining that the river around the crash site was not their primary source of drinking water.

“To say that they cannot drink that water because of the pollution is not entirely correct because, initially, that water is not the water they drink. There are boreholes around,” he said.

He, however, acknowledged the possibility of pollution, saying the government was not dismissing the concerns but was assessing the situation to determine the appropriate response.

NAF constitutes board to probe  crash

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has constituted a 12-member Aircraft Accident Investigation Board to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash of its ATR 42 aircraft in Igbokoda, Ondo.

Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information, Headquarters NAF, in a statement on Tuesday said the board is mandated to examine operational, technical, environmental, human and organisational factors surrounding the accident, including the systematic examination, documentation and preservation of evidence.

Ejodame also said the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has directed sustained search and recovery efforts alongside a comprehensive investigation into the incident.

The aircraft, NAF 931, crashed on October 5 at Igbokoda, Ondo State, killing all 25 persons on board.

The statement said Air Vice Marshal Francis Ankeli would serve as president of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Board, while Air Vice Marshal Ebimobo Ebiowe would lead the Investigation and Recovery Team coordinating the wider response to the incident.

It explained that the arrangement was designed to ensure a coordinated approach to recovery operations while allowing a structured, specialist investigation into the crash.

According to the statement, the 12-member board comprises personnel with expertise in aviation operations, flight safety, piloting, air traffic control, aircraft engineering, maintenance, medical services and other relevant technical disciplines.

Representatives of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) are also members of the board to provide additional civilian aviation expertise.

Senate, Reps seek NAF aircraft audit

The Senate and the House of Representatives have called for a comprehensive audit of the serviceability and airworthiness of all Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft across the military and presidential fleets.

The call followed a motion on the crash of a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft in both chambers during Tuesday’s plenary session.

The Senate, following a motion by Osita Ngwu (Enugu West), mandated its committees on Air Force and Aviation to visit the crash site, engage with NAF authorities and conduct a comprehensive audit of the serviceability and airworthiness of aircraft in the presidential and military fleets.

The Senate also urged the Nigerian Air Force leadership to submit all budgetary records for aircraft maintenance to the relevant Senate committee to determine whether funding allocated for operational maintenance was sufficient and properly utilised to prevent such incidents.

The House of Representatives, after debating a motion by Donald Ojogo (APC, Ondo), also urged the Federal Government to ensure the timely release of approved funds for aircraft maintenance, spare parts and other critical operational requirements, warning that funding and logistical constraints could compromise aviation safety.

The lawmakers further urged the Ministry of Defence to conduct an immediate audit of military aircraft and equipment to determine their operational condition and reduce the risk of similar accidents.(Daily trust)