Community Leader Raises Alarm Over Water Pollution After Plane Crash

Igbokoda, the main town in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, is facing a possible humanitarian crisis. This is due to the pollution of the community's water source by the decaying bodies of victims from the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) plane crash that happened last week.

The traditional ruler, Afolabi Odidiomo, told PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday that the water source has been contaminated. This leaves the people with unsafe water for drinking and other household needs.

He mentioned that the crash also damaged economic trees and fish, which are vital for the community's livelihood.

The NAF plane went down in a swamp in Igbokoda on Monday, October 5, killing all 25 people on board.

Rescue teams, including divers and local volunteers, have struggled to retrieve the wreckage and bodies due to the difficult terrain. A combined team from the NAF, Nigerian Navy, police, the Igbokoda community, and the state government started operations about a week ago. So far, they have mostly found pieces of human remains and parts of the aircraft.

Officials confirmed that the main body of the plane has not been found. It is believed to be buried deep in the swamp where the crash occurred.

Now, concerns have shifted from the initial shock of the crash to fears about water pollution.

The water that got polluted is the same source Igbokoda residents rely on for drinking.

Rescuers have warned that working at the site is dangerous due to the horrible smell of decaying flesh in the water.

Mr Odidiomo spoke to PREMIUM TIMES at his palace on Tuesday. He expressed concern that the water is unsafe for drinking and other domestic uses.

"The concern of everybody in this community today is that our government spent time, energy, money, and effort looking for people that had been chopped into pieces by the crash. The pieces that are floating everywhere in our rivers. The pieces that have decayed left so much stench that is unbelievable.

"Going close to the river is so scary now for children who usually go to swim when they return from school, because they see human flesh everywhere as they swim. Fish are also dying everywhere.

"So, the river that used to be friendly with children has become scary, as we wonder why the government cares so much for the dead rather than the living.

"This same river where the plane crashed into is what supplies our drinking water. We have a water treatment machine at Aboto about seven kilometres away from here. The water doesn’t come every day, and when it comes, it is this same water that flows there, pumped to be treated for our drinking.

"So, it means whatever happens, pollution is already in the river, either as a result of decayed bodies or as oil that dropped into the river, and any other pollution that went into the water thereof."

The traditional ruler called for urgent cleanup of the water to avoid a disaster from possible epidemics due to the pollution.

He said not having a plan to protect the people from pollution was unfair. The government could have blocked off the area to stop the contaminated water from flowing into the main river.

Besides the pollution, Mr Odidiomo noted that the crash also harmed economic trees and fish. These are crucial for the community's livelihood.

"We are asking the government for cleanup. We are asking the government for remediation, a kind of restoration of the environment. The restoration now does not mean that we want the trees planted back, but we want the government to still do something in memory of those that died just as we have in Lagos and Ogun states," he said.

He added that, besides cleaning the water, the government should find a new source of clean drinking water for the people.

Benjamin Omoyele, a local resident and a student at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), said the pollution from the crash is a serious concern that needs immediate government attention.

He noted that the body parts still in the water create health issues and could contaminate it for residents.

On the other hand, Odunsola Dada, known as General in Igbokoda, believes the water will clean itself over time.

He said, "We are all humans, and what happened is a tragedy. We will all also die at our time. The water is deep and flowing steadily. It is not a well or a pool. It is a flowing river. In a short while everything will flow into the sea and people will be able to use it as before."

Meanwhile, work continues at the crash site with more machinery brought in to help remove the remaining parts of the aircraft.

The search for the black box is now the main focus of the operation. This was directed by the Chief of Air Staff, Sunday Aneke, during his visit to the site last week.