By Stephen Simon
Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has ordered fumigation of the river around the site of the Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash in Igbokoda following complaints by residents about a strong, unpleasant smell.
The state government also announced plans to distribute nose masks and other health kits to residents in affected communities as authorities respond to concerns about possible environmental and public health risks.
The measures followed complaints about the condition of the waterway after the October 5 aircraft crash, which prompted recovery operations around the site.
According to reports, the governor directed the relevant ministries responsible for environment and health to coordinate the response.
Local government authorities have also been instructed to arrange water tanker supplies if assessments establish that the river is severely polluted and unsuitable for domestic use.
The announcement comes as recovery teams continue efforts to retrieve aircraft wreckage and other materials from the crash site.
The Nigerian Air Force disclosed on Wednesday that additional parts of the aircraft had been recovered, with specialist divers continuing underwater searches to support the investigation.
For residents of Igbokoda and neighbouring communities, the immediate concern is the safety of their water sources and the potential consequences of exposure to contaminated water.
Authorities will need to establish the extent of any pollution through appropriate assessments and communicate the findings clearly to affected residents.
The cause of the aircraft crash remains under investigation.
