Nine days after a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) ATR-42 aircraft plunged into a river in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, search teams have yet to retrieve the wreckage or the remains of the 25 personnel onboard.
The prolonged delay has triggered growing public health alarms in host communities while sparking calls in the National Assembly for a comprehensive audit of military aviation maintenance funding.
Environmental and public health concerns grow in Igbokoda
Residents in the riverine area report an increasingly overpowering odour stemming from the crash site, which local authorities attribute to decomposing human remains in the water.
The traditional ruler of Igbokoda, Oba Afolabi Odidiomo, issued an urgent appeal to both federal and state authorities to accelerate recovery operations and address environmental risks.
“The odour is extremely offensive, and decomposing remains floating in the river are affecting the entire community,” the monarch stated, adding that visible traces of spilt aviation fuel have spread along the waterway, restricting access to clean domestic water.
Community members and local leaders echoed similar concerns, noting that daily life near the crash zone has been severely disrupted. In response, Ondo State Commissioner for Environment, Tob Loko, confirmed that a state delegation was dispatched to evaluate environmental damage and coordinate future decontamination efforts alongside federal agencies.
Lawmakers demand fleet audit and independent investigation
The tragedy has prompted immediate legislative scrutiny in the National Assembly regarding the condition and upkeep of military aircraft.
In the Senate, lawmakers passed a motion sponsored by Senator Osita Ngwu directing relevant committees to audit the serviceability and airworthiness of the military fleet. The upper chamber raised questions over whether funding shortfalls or maintenance lapses contributed to the disaster.
Budget allocations under review: Public records reveal that the NAF allocated approximately ₦37.10 billion toward aircraft maintenance across budget cycles between 2022 and 2026. However, lawmakers emphasized that clear data on actual funds released and spent remains unavailable.
Calls for independent inquiry: The House of Representatives, following a motion by Representative Donald Ojogo, urged the Federal Government to establish an independent investigation panel to complement the military’s internal probe.
Pilot commendation: Lawmakers also advocated for posthumous honours for the crew, citing eyewitness accounts indicating that the pilot deliberately steered the declining aircraft away from heavily populated residential areas.
Military response and expert calls for civilian oversight
In response to the incident, the NAF announced that search and recovery operations have been intensified under the direction of Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke.
NAF spokesperson Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame confirmed the inauguration of a 12-member investigative board comprising specialists in flight safety, engineering, piloting, and representatives from civilian aviation authorities to establish the immediate and underlying causes of the crash.
Despite these steps, aviation analysts have called for greater transparency and deeper structural reform. Experts argue that recurring military aviation accidents highlight systemic maintenance challenges and gaps between civilian regulatory standards and military practices.
Industry analysts emphasise that involving independent bodies like the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) in full operational audits is essential to restoring safety standards and preventing future tragedies.
Read Also: 66 killed, dozens injured as Colombian military plane crashes on takeoff
