Fears of disease outbreak as Ondo orders fumigation of plane crash site, distribution of nose masks

Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has ordered the fumigation of Igbokoda River and distribution of protective health materials following complaints of an offensive stench from last week’s Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash.

The directive followed growing concerns about environmental contamination and possible disease outbreaks as recovery operations continued in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area.

According to Punch, residents had raised concerns over decomposing human remains and possible aviation fuel contamination at the crash site.

In a statement on Wednesday, Commissioner for Information and Orientation Idowu Ajanaku said the governor directed the Ministries of Environment and Health to undertake extensive fumigation.

“Following complaints by residents of Igbokoda over the strong stench emanating from the river where the Nigerian Air Force aircraft crashed last week, Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has directed the Ministries of Environment and Health to commence extensive fumigation of the river.”

Aiyedatiwa also ordered the distribution of nose masks and other protective health kits to residents.

He directed Ilaje Local Government authorities to provide potable water through tankers if tests confirmed severe river pollution.

“The arrangement is to remain in place pending a lasting intervention to address the pollution,” the statement added.

The October 5 crash killed all 25 occupants of the military aircraft.

Recovery operations remain challenging because of the swampy terrain.

The Nigerian Air Force has constituted a 12-member board to investigate the crash.