Ondo governor orders fumigation of river over stench from NAF plane crash

Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has ordered the immediate fumigation of Igbokoda River following complaints of an offensive odour from the site of a Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash.

According to The Nation, the governor directed the Ministries of Environment and Health to undertake the exercise to prevent a possible disease outbreak.

In a statement on Wednesday, Commissioner for Information and Orientation Idowu Ajanaku said residents would also receive nose masks and essential health kits.

Aiyedatiwa directed Ilaje Local Government authorities to provide drinking water through tankers if the river is confirmed unsafe for domestic use.

The October 5 crash involved a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft travelling from Benin City to Lagos, killing all 25 people aboard.

Residents have expressed concerns about possible contamination from decomposing remains and aviation fuel.

Recovery operations remain difficult because of the swampy terrain, while the Air Force has established a 12-member investigation board to determine the crash’s cause.