NAF aircraft crash: Ondo monarch petitions Tinubu, seeks compensation

The Olu of Igbokoda, Oba Afolabi Odidiomo, has petitioned President Bola Tinubu over the Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash in the coastal community of Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo, seeking an urgent environmental investigation, public health protection and compensation for affected residents.

The Ondo monarch, who petitioned the President on behalf of the traditional council and residents of Igbokoda and neighbouring communities, also called for the recovery of the aircraft wreckage and any outstanding human remains, as well as the clean-up and restoration of any part of the environment found to have been contaminated.

In the petition signed by the monarch, dated October 13, 2026, the monarch expressed concern over the possible leakage of aviation fuel, lubricants and other hazardous substances from the aircraft, warning that any contamination could threaten the health of residents and undermine the livelihoods of people dependent on the surrounding waterways.

He said, “Our people should not be left to speculate about the safety of their waters or bear the consequences of any damage arising from an incident involving a federal government aircraft.”

ALSO READ: Discounted fuel: PETROAN seeks NNPC partnership to reduce queues

He urged the Federal Government to ensure that competent environmental experts investigate the crash site and surrounding waters to determine the extent of any contamination and recommend appropriate remedial measures.

According to the petition, Igbokoda, the headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area, is surrounded by waterways and wetlands that sustain the livelihoods of a substantial part of the population through fishing, fish processing, trading and other water-dependent activities.

The monarch said reports of submerged wreckage and possible fuel leakage had heightened concerns among residents, stressing, however, that the actual extent of contamination should be established through scientific investigation and laboratory testing.

He called for the collection and analysis of water and sediment samples from the crash site and potentially affected locations, as well as an assessment of the impact on aquatic life and fishing grounds.

“The actual extent of any contamination must be determined through proper investigation and scientific testing rather than assumption,” the petition stated.

The petition also requested that the findings of the investigation, including laboratory results, be made available to affected communities, subject to legitimate operational and security restrictions.

On public health, Oba Oladimeji urged relevant health and environmental agencies to assess potential risks associated with the incident and provide clear guidance on the use of potentially affected waters and the consumption of fish and other aquatic products from the area.

He further called for medical assessments and appropriate treatment for residents suspected of exposure-related illnesses, alongside a mechanism through which affected persons could report symptoms and obtain reliable information.

The monarch also sought an update on ongoing recovery operations, including the location and condition of the remaining wreckage and efforts to recover any outstanding human remains.

He stressed the need for the recovery of any remaining human remains to be treated as a matter of urgency and handled with dignity, while ensuring that safety and the preservation of evidence were not compromised.

On the economic implications of the crash, the monarch said the government should assess its impact on fishing activities and other businesses dependent on the waterways.

He requested that the assessment identify affected fishing grounds, persons whose economic activities had been disrupted, and any verified losses involving equipment, property, fish stocks, income and additional expenses incurred as a result of the incident.

Where losses were established, he called for a transparent and accessible compensation process, including consideration of interim assistance for residents facing immediate hardship.

He stated that “Where losses are established, we request an accessible process for receiving, assessing and determining claims for appropriate compensation, and consideration of interim relief where immediate hardship is demonstrated,”

The monarch also urged the Federal Government to coordinate the response of the Nigerian Air Force, the Ministry of Defence, environmental agencies, the National Emergency Management Agency, the Ondo State Emergency Management Agency, relevant health authorities and the Ilaje Local Government.

He said such coordination was necessary to ensure that the environmental, health, economic and recovery-related concerns arising from the crash received appropriate attention.

The petition further called for a comprehensive clean-up and remediation programme if contamination was confirmed, including the containment of pollution sources, safe recovery of wreckage, restoration of affected locations and continued monitoring of water quality.

Oba Odidiomo requested the appointment of a liaison officer to facilitate communication between government agencies and the affected communities.

He said residents possessed practical knowledge of the waterways and fishing grounds that could assist the authorities in identifying potentially affected locations and determining the appropriate response.

The monarch, who cited the constitutional responsibility of the state to protect and improve the environment, said the petition was made in the public interest and was not intended to prejudge the outcome of any investigation or attribute liability before the relevant facts had been established.

He asked the Federal Government to acknowledge the petition, provide updates on recovery efforts, disclose the agencies responsible for outstanding tasks and establish a clear timetable for the investigation and other interventions.

The monarch requested a substantive written response within 30 days of the receipt of the petition, while acknowledging that a full investigation and environmental remediation, if required, could take longer.

The petition was copied to the Chief of Air Staff, Minister of Defence, Minister of Environment, Director-General of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, Director-General of NEMA, Ondo State Governor, the state Commissioner for Environment, Director-General of the Ondo State Emergency Management Agency and the Chairman of Ilaje Local Government.

The monarch said the people of Igbokoda understood the seriousness of an aircraft crash but deserved a response that prioritised public safety, environmental protection, transparency and the welfare of affected residents.