With days after a Nigerian Air Force aircraft crashed into a river in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, the remains of the 25 victims and the aircraft wreckage remain unrecovered, raising fears of environmental contamination and a possible public health crisis.
The town’s monarch, Oba Afolabi Odidiomo, has urged the Federal and Ondo State governments to accelerate recovery efforts, citing an increasingly offensive stench and concerns over possible aviation fuel pollution. Residents have also expressed fears about the safety of water used for domestic purposes.
Ondo State Commissioner for Environment, Tob Loko, said the government was assessing the environmental impact of the crash to determine the appropriate response, including possible decontamination measures.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force has intensified search operations and constituted a 12-member board to investigate the October 5, 2026, crash. The board, comprising aviation and technical specialists, will examine the possible causes, emergency response and other factors surrounding the incident.
The Senate has called for a comprehensive audit of the NAF’s aircraft fleet and maintenance funding, while the House of Representatives has demanded an independent investigation, an audit of military aircraft and improved support for victims’ families.
An analysis of budget documents shows that the NAF earmarked approximately N37.10bn for aircraft maintenance across five budget cycles between 2022 and 2026. However, the actual amounts released and spent could not be established from the available records, leaving questions about the utilisation of the funds unanswered.
The controversy has deepened following allegations by the brother of a deceased female NAF officer that the aircraft had developed a mechanical fault and stopped in Benin City for checks before continuing to Lagos. The claim remains unverified, and the cause of the crash has yet to be established.
Aviation experts, including Olumide Ohunayo and Alex Nwuba, have called for stronger independent oversight, improved maintenance practices and closer collaboration between military and civilian aviation authorities. Retired Group Captain John Ojikutu has also expressed concern over the prolonged failure to recover the victims.
As families await the recovery of their loved ones and residents worry about possible environmental hazards, the authorities face mounting pressure to intensify the search, assess public health risks and establish the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
