Hope Ajayi 
ONDO, Nigeria – The Ondo State Government has ordered the fumigation of a river near the site of a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft crash in Igbokoda and plans to distribute health kits to residents amid concerns about a foul odour and possible environmental pollution.
Commissioner for Information and Orientation Idowu Ajanaku announced the measures at a press briefing in Akure on Wednesday, saying Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa had directed the state ministries of Environment and Health to begin extensive fumigation.
The governor also ordered the distribution of nose masks and other essential health kits to residents of Ilaje Local Government Area, where the aircraft crashed on October 5.
The intervention follows complaints from residents who fear that decomposing human remains and body parts may still be in the river, contributing to the offensive smell reported across the community.
Ajanaku said the Ilaje Local Government Council had also been directed to arrange water tankers to provide potable water if assessments establish that the river is severely polluted and unsafe for use.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force has confirmed the recovery of additional components of the crashed ATR 42-500 aircraft as multi-agency teams continue searching the site.
In a statement published on its official X account on Wednesday, the NAF said specialist divers from the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau were working alongside its recovery team. “Additional aircraft components have been recovered as efforts continue to locate and retrieve relevant materials for documentation and preservation in support of the ongoing investigation,” the statement said.
About the Author
Korede Abdullah 
Oluwatobi Adu