Seventeen days after a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft crashed in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, killing no fewer than 25 people, residents are still battling a persistent foul odour, alleged water pollution and sharp losses to their fishing livelihoods.
Locals say the lingering contamination has disrupted social and economic life in the riverine community and have urged both the federal and Ondo State governments to speed up the clean-up.
Military personnel continue recovery operations at the crash site, retrieving body parts and wreckage. Full bodies have yet to be recovered, contributing to the decomposition and stench.
Ondo State Commissioner for Environment Tobi Loco acknowledged the environmental risks and said the government had begun mobilising for assessment and decontamination.
“When the incident happened, there was some level of contamination because our efforts to recover the passengers who were on board were not successful,” Loco said. “Up till now, we have not been able to recover a full body. All that we could get were body parts, and some of them have yet to be recovered. So, that is a clear signal that there is serious decomposition attracting microorganisms to the site.
“Don’t forget that when the crash occurred, the possibility of aviation fuel contaminating the surroundings and the water in that locality, as well as volatile organic compounds polluting the water, cannot be ruled out. So, when the people say they perceive an offensive odour, these are possible pollutants.
“That is why we are mobilising to the site for an assessment. We are going to assess the level of contamination that has taken place. As a matter of fact, we are going to undertake air quality and water quality tests… When we return, we will carry out what I will call decontamination, so that the people living in that vicinity and its environment can have a breath of fresh air, with their means of livelihood, which is the water, protected and purified for normal use.”
Residents, however, insist the promised fumigation has not yet begun in earnest. Fisherman Festus Ikumola said: “They said they would begin fumigation, but nothing has been happening. We are only seeing the military and the police at the scene of the incident trying to recover the crashed plane, but they don’t allow civilians near the area. We want to appeal to the government to carry out the fumigation as promised. This is taking too long. They should not allow an outbreak of disease in this community.”
On the impact on fishing, he added: “We don’t see as many fish to catch again. I think the water is no longer conducive for them because of pollution. The incident has seriously affected our business.”
Another resident, identified only as Biodun, said: “I have not seen any government official in the area, and we still perceive some odour. It would be better for the government to do the needful before the situation gets worse.”
Commissioner for Information Idowu Ajanaku countered that work was already under way. “The efforts are ongoing. The fumigation is going on. We began the first phase of the exercise a few days ago, but by Friday this week, it should be completed,” he said.
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