Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has directed the state ministries of environment and health to commence extensive fumigation of the river in Igbokoda where a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft crashed, following complaints from residents about a strong stench emanating from the water.
Gatekeepers News reports that the intervention is aimed at preventing a possible outbreak of diseases, as the river serves as an important source of livelihood for residents of Igbokoda and neighbouring communities.
Aiyedatiwa also directed the authorities of Ilaje Local Government Area to arrange water tankers for the continuous distribution of potable water to residents if assessments establish that the river is severely polluted and unsafe for use.
According to a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Idowu Ajanaku, the water supply arrangement will remain in place pending a lasting solution to the pollution concerns.
The governor further instructed the relevant ministries to distribute nose masks and other essential health kits to residents to protect them from potential health hazards.
Aiyedatiwa reiterated the state government’s commitment to providing the necessary support to the Nigerian Air Force in its ongoing evacuation operations while ensuring the safety and welfare of residents in the affected community.
NAF Sets Up 12-Member Board to Investigate Crash
The NAF ATR-42 aircraft, with registration number NAF 931, crashed on October 5, 2026, with 25 people on board, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers.
The aircraft was reportedly on a routine mission from Benin City, Edo State, to Lagos when the accident occurred.
Despite the immediate activation of search-and-rescue operations by the relevant authorities, the occupants had yet to be located at the time of the report.
The Nigerian Air Force on Tuesday constituted a 12-member board to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, ordered sustained search and recovery operations alongside a comprehensive investigation into the accident.
Air Vice Marshal FO Ankeli will head the investigation board, while Air Vice Marshal EOE Ebiowe, head of the Investigation and Recovery Team, will coordinate the wider response.
The board comprises specialists in aviation operations, flight safety, piloting, air traffic control, aircraft engineering, maintenance, medical services and other technical fields.
Representatives of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau are also part of the board to provide civilian aviation expertise.
According to the NAF, the investigation will examine operational, technical, environmental, human and organisational factors that may have contributed to the crash.
The investigation is expected to establish the circumstances and causes of the accident, while the search and recovery operations continue.
