Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has ordered the fumigation of the Igbokoda River and the distribution of nose masks and other health supplies to residents following complaints about the offensive odour from the site of last week’s Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash.

The move is aimed at addressing growing fears of environmental contamination and possible health risks as recovery operations continue in Igbokoda, the headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area.

The state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Idowu Ajanaku, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, saying the governor had directed the Ministries of Environment and Health to commence extensive fumigation of the river to prevent potential disease outbreaks.

According to the statement, the directive followed complaints from residents about the strong stench emanating from the waterway where the aircraft crashed.

The government noted that the river serves as a major source of livelihood for residents of Igbokoda and neighbouring communities, making urgent intervention necessary to safeguard public health.

Aiyedatiwa also directed the Ilaje Local Government Area to provide water tankers for the supply of potable water if assessments confirm that the river has been severely polluted and is unsafe for domestic use.

The arrangement, according to the statement, will remain in place until a permanent solution to the pollution concerns is implemented.

The governor further ordered the distribution of nose masks and other essential health kits to residents as precautionary measures against potential environmental hazards.

He also reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to supporting the Nigerian Air Force in its recovery operations while ensuring the safety and welfare of people living in the affected community.

The aircraft crash occurred on October 5 when a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft, registered as NAF 931, crashed into a swampy area of Igbokoda during a routine mission from Benin City, Edo State, to Lagos.

The incident reportedly claimed the lives of all 25 people on board, including five crew members and 20 passengers.

Nine days after the crash, the recovery of the victims’ remains and the aircraft wreckage remained a major concern, with residents reporting an increasingly offensive smell from the river.

The traditional ruler of Igbokoda, Oba Afolabi Odidiomo, had urged the Federal and Ondo State governments to accelerate recovery efforts and address suspected contamination arising from decomposing human remains and spilled aviation fuel.

Recovery operations have been complicated by the swampy terrain and the aircraft’s submersion in the water. The Ondo State Government subsequently deployed amphibious swamp machines to assist the Nigerian Navy, Air Force, emergency response agencies and local divers in reaching the site.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force has intensified search and recovery operations and established a 12-member board of inquiry to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash. The Federal Government had also ordered an investigation into the incident.