Traditional ruler of Igbokoda, Oba Afolabi Odidiomo, has claimed that the community’s water source has been contaminated following the crash of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.

Odidiomo also said the plane crash had left residents of the coastal community unable to safely use the river for drinking, cooking and fishing, explaining that the people faced serious hardship because it had no alternative source of water.

The NAF ATR-42 aircraft, which was on a ‘routine mission’ from Benin City, Edo State, to Lagos, crashed into a swamp near the Nigerian Air Force Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Igbokoda last Monday.

The crash killed all 25 people on board, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers. The aircraft was submerged in the swamp, prompting an intensive search and recovery operation involving military personnel and other emergency agencies.

Speaking with our reporter yesterday, the monarch commiserated with families of the victims of the ill-fated plane crash, particularly the wife and relatives of the pilot.

He urged the Federal Government to immortalise the officer in recognition of his sacrifice.

He said the aircraft could have caused casualties within the community had it crashed directly into a populated area, adding that the impact of the incident had extended beyond the immediate loss of lives.

The revered monarch expressed concern that the river, which residents depend on for their daily needs, had allegedly been contaminated following the crash and the presence of the victims’ bodies in the affected area.

The only luck we had was that the plane did not crash within the community, which would have taken lives here. But even if it had not taken lives directly, it would eventually affect lives because our people cannot drink this water now, and we have no alternative,” he said.

According to the monarch, the river serves as a major source of water for household activities, including drinking and cooking, making its contamination a serious concern for the community.

“That is the water we fetch to cook. It is the water we drink from. It is the water we use for our day-to-day life. And if today it is polluted, the stench is nothing else but from dead bodies. It has infested the water,” he said.

Oba Odidiomo warned that the situation could disrupt the community’s food supply and livelihood, particularly fishing, which many residents depend on for sustenance and income.

He said residents might be forced to go without fish and potable water for some time if urgent measures were not taken to address the situation.

“The implication is that we have to starve for some time without fish and without water to drink. It is just unfortunate,” he added.

The monarch called on the relevant authorities to urgently address the community’s water needs and provide relief to residents affected by the aftermath of the crash.

He also reiterated his appeal to the Federal Government to honour the late pilot, saying his actions had potentially prevented a more devastating loss of life in Igbokoda

“Myself and my chiefs want to send our sincere, heartfelt condolences to the families that lost their loved ones within our territory.

“It is unfortunate, but we want to appeal to them to see it as part of what God allowed and to look beyond the tragedy and consider what they can hold on to in life,” Oba Odidiomo said.

The monarch added that the pilot’s actions had spared the community a potentially greater disaster, describing the officer as a hero whose sacrifice would not be forgotten by the people.

“My sincere condolences to the wife of the pilot in particular. Your husband saved us here. He sacrificed his life and those who were with him in the plane.

“It is going to be painful for you, your family and friends, but to us, he is a hero. We will celebrate him,” Oba Odidiomo added. (The Nation)