Residents of Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area in Ondo State, are raising concerns over possible water pollution following a Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash that reportedly claimed 25 lives.
The community’s traditional ruler, Mr Odidiomo, is calling for urgent government intervention, warning that decaying human remains and possible oil leakage from the aircraft could threaten the river that supplies water for domestic use.
The aircraft crashed into a swamp in Igbokoda on Monday, October 5, 2026. Recovery operations have reportedly been hampered by the difficult terrain, with the main wreckage believed to remain submerged.
Search and rescue efforts involving the Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Navy, police, community members and the Ondo State Government have recovered fragments of human remains and parts of the aircraft. However, locating and retrieving the main wreckage has remained a major challenge.
Speaking at his palace, the traditional ruler expressed concern about the condition of the river, which residents depend on for household water, fishing and other economic activities.
He said the smell of decaying human remains and the reported presence of human body parts in the water have heightened fears among residents, particularly children who previously used the river for swimming.
The monarch also reported that fish were dying and that the crash had affected economic trees and other natural resources that support the community’s livelihood.
Mediaplusng.com reports that the community’s water treatment facility is located in Aboto, approximately seven kilometres away. According to the traditional ruler, water from the same river is pumped to the facility for treatment, although the supply is not available every day.
He fears that if the water has been contaminated, the consequences could extend beyond the crash site to households relying on the treatment facility.
The monarch is therefore urging the government and relevant environmental agencies to investigate the river immediately, test the water and determine whether human remains, fuel or other substances from the crash have affected its quality.
He is also calling for an urgent clean-up where necessary to protect residents and prevent a possible public health emergency.
However, the actual extent of contamination has not been independently confirmed. Scientific water-quality testing and an environmental assessment are necessary to establish the presence and level of any harmful substances.
The situation presents authorities with two pressing responsibilities: continuing efforts to recover the victims and aircraft wreckage, while also assessing and addressing possible environmental risks to the surrounding community.
For families in Igbokoda, the river is more than a water source. It supports fishing, provides for domestic needs and contributes to the local economy. Any confirmed contamination could therefore have consequences for public health, food security and household incomes.
The community is asking the authorities not to allow the environmental concerns to be overshadowed by the ongoing recovery operation.
As investigations and recovery efforts continue, residents are seeking clear information about the safety of their water supply, urgent testing and access to safe drinking water if contamination is confirmed.
For Igbokoda, the demand is clear: recover the crash victims, protect the living and safeguard the natural resources on which the community depends.
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