Residents of Igbokoda in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State have raised alarm over a terrible smell and human remains reportedly floating in the river where a Nigerian Air Force aircraft crashed.
The residents fear that the situation could lead to serious health problems if urgent action is not taken.
The Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft crashed into a swamp near its Forward Operating Base in Igbokoda on October 5, 2026.
The plane was travelling from Benin City, Edo State, to Lagos when the accident happened, reportedly killing all 25 people on board.
Since the crash, military officers and emergency workers have been searching the area to recover bodies and parts of the aircraft.
Traditional Ruler Raises Alarm
The traditional ruler of Igbokoda, Oba Afolabi Odidiomo, has expressed deep concern over the condition of the crash site.
According to the monarch, the smell coming from the area has become unbearable, while some human remains are still being seen floating in the water.
"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," the monarch said.
Oba Odidiomo also raised concerns that fuel from the crashed aircraft might have leaked into the water.
He warned that this could harm the environment and pose a danger to people living around the area.
The traditional ruler called on the government and military authorities to quickly recover the remaining human remains, remove the aircraft wreckage and clean up the affected area.
Residents Cry Out Over Offensive Smell
Some residents, including Omogbemi Damilola and Oroyo Levy, also complained about the strong smell coming from the crash site.
They said the smell had continued since the accident, making life uncomfortable for families living nearby.
The residents appealed to the government to act quickly before the situation becomes a bigger health problem.
They also expressed concern about possible pollution of the surrounding water.
Ondo Government Responds
Reacting to the complaints, the Ondo State Commissioner for Environment, Tob Loko, said the state government was working with the Federal Government to examine the situation.
He explained that officials were checking the area to find out whether the crash had caused pollution and what steps should be taken to clean it up.
The commissioner admitted that the environment around the crash site might have been affected.
However, he disagreed with claims that the accident had stopped residents from getting drinking water.
According to him, the river is not the main source of drinking water for the community because residents also have access to boreholes.
Loko assured residents that the government was studying the situation to decide on the right action.
Meanwhile, residents are calling for faster recovery and cleanup efforts to protect public health and restore normal life in the community.
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