NAF Plane Crash: Hunger Hits Ondo Communities as Fishermen Lose Livelihoods

Residents of Igbokoda and neighbouring coastal communities in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State are facing growing economic hardship following the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft crash that disrupted fishing and other waterway-dependent businesses.

Twelve days after the military aircraft plunged into the waters of Igbokoda on October 5, 2026, fishermen, fish traders and boat operators have reported significant losses, leaving many struggling to provide food for their families.

The incident has also raised concerns about possible environmental contamination, the safety of aquatic life and the future of fishing activities in communities where the river serves as a major source of livelihood.

About 1,500 Fishermen Affected

The Chairman of the Ilaje Fishermen Association, Igbokoda, Festus Ikuomola, said approximately 1,500 members of the association had been affected by the disruption following the crash.

According to him, fishermen who previously earned between ₦15,000 and ₦30,000 on a good day have struggled to generate income since the incident.

Some fishermen have attempted to travel farther from the affected area to continue their activities, but the additional transportation and operating costs have reduced their earnings.

Ikuomola called on the Federal Government to address the situation, including cleaning up the affected environment and providing compensation to residents whose livelihoods have been disrupted.

He warned that possible contamination of the waterways could have serious implications for fish stocks and the wider fishing economy.

However, the actual extent of any contamination and its effects on aquatic life still require scientific assessment.

Fish Traders and Women Face Growing Hardship

The disruption has also affected women who depend on fishing for their trading activities and household income.

Ikuomola explained that fish trading in the community is largely dominated by women, many of whom depend on regular supplies from local fishermen.

Before the crash, some fish traders reportedly earned an average of ₦60,000 weekly, depending on the quantity of fish available for sale.

The situation has become more difficult because of reduced fish supplies, inadequate storage facilities, limited working capital and the high cost of accessing alternative markets.

One dry fish trader, Bimpe Kayode, said she had been unable to obtain sufficient quantities of fish since the incident.

She recounted visiting a market in Igbokoda to purchase fish but returning home without the quantities she needed because supplies were limited.

The shortage threatens not only traders’ earnings but also the livelihoods of other people involved in transporting, processing and selling fish.

Boat Operators Turn to Alternative Jobs

Boat operators who previously transported fishermen and fish traders across the waterways have also reported losing their sources of income.

One operator, Yemi Adetimehin, said he used to earn between ₦30,000 and ₦50,000 daily by transporting women involved in the fish trade.

He said his income had stopped following restrictions on movement around the affected waterways.

Another boat operator, Shola Michael, disclosed that he had resorted to commercial motorcycle riding to support his wife and two children after being unable to continue his boat business.

Their experiences illustrate how the consequences of the crash have extended beyond fishing to other businesses that depend on the movement of people and goods across the waterways.

For families already facing economic pressures, the sudden loss of income has created additional difficulties in meeting basic household needs.

Residents Raise Fears Over Possible Water Pollution

Beyond the immediate economic consequences, residents have expressed concern about an offensive odour around the crash site and the possibility that aviation fuel or other substances from the wreckage may have contaminated the water.

Some fishermen reported seeing what they believed to be oil floating on parts of the waterway.

However, these observations have not established the type, concentration or extent of any pollutants present.

The Ondo State Government has announced plans to conduct air and water quality assessments to determine whether contamination occurred and what measures may be required.

The Nigerian Air Force has also acknowledged residents’ concerns, promising to work with relevant environmental and public health authorities after the recovery operation to assess and address any identified environmental problems.

The outcome of these assessments will be important in determining whether the affected waterways can safely support fishing and other community activities.

Igbokoda Monarch Appeals to Tinubu

The Olugbokoda of Igbokoda, Oba Afolabi Odidiomo, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Ondo State Government to intervene in the situation.

In a petition to the Presidency, the monarch expressed concern about the recovery of the aircraft and human remains, possible fuel leakage and the potential effects on the environment and residents’ livelihoods.

He argued that communities should not be left to speculate about the safety of their waterways or bear the economic consequences of possible environmental damage caused by a Federal Government aircraft.

The monarch called for an independent environmental assessment and a transparent compensation process for residents who can demonstrate losses attributable to the incident.

He said any compensation arrangement should consider established losses involving property, equipment, lost income, reasonable expenses and other recognised claims.

The appeal reflects growing demands for accountability and practical assistance for communities whose economic activities have been disrupted.

Environmental Experts Demand Scientific Tests

Environmental and fisheries experts have called for comprehensive testing to establish whether the crash caused pollution and determine the appropriate response.

Dr Lukman Agbabiaka, an adviser and member of the Bureau of the African Network of Non-State Actors in Fisheries and Aquaculture, said an environmental impact assessment would help establish the concentration of hydrocarbons, aviation fuel and engine oil in the affected area.

He explained that the findings would help determine the potential consequences for fish populations and the wider aquatic environment.

Agbabiaka also warned that fears of contamination could affect fish sales even before laboratory tests establish whether the products are unsafe.

Environmental expert Philip Jakpor, Executive Director of the Renevlyn Development Initiative, called for an environmental audit, appropriate pollution-control measures, alternative water supplies where necessary and livelihood support for affected residents.

A Professor of Environmental Toxicology and Aquatic Pollution at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Olawale Adejuwon, recommended testing water samples, river sediments and fish tissue before authorities declare the area safe.

The recommendations highlight the need for evidence-based decisions rather than relying solely on the absence or presence of an offensive smell.

A toxicologist at the University of Abuja, Muhammed Shehu, also urged authorities to collect samples and have them analysed in accredited laboratories before determining whether fishing activities could safely resume.

Government Response and the Need for Relief

The Ondo State Government has indicated that environmental and health officials would assess the affected area to establish the extent of any contamination.

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has also directed relevant ministries to address residents’ concerns following reports of a strong odour around the crash site.

The Nigerian Air Force, meanwhile, has said it would engage appropriate authorities on environmental and public health concerns after recovery operations.

While these commitments represent steps towards addressing the situation, residents continue to face immediate economic difficulties.

For fishermen and traders who depend on daily earnings, environmental assessments alone may not provide sufficient short-term relief.

Government intervention may need to include temporary livelihood support, access to safe drinking water where required, assistance for affected businesses and clear communication about when activities can safely resume.

Any compensation programme should be transparent, with a fair process for documenting losses and determining eligibility.

Families of Crash Victims Still Await Closure

The economic crisis in Igbokoda has unfolded alongside the grief of families whose relatives were on board the aircraft.

The Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 crashed while travelling from Benin City in Edo State to Lagos on a routine mission.

All 25 people aboard the aircraft—20 passengers and five crew members—were reported killed.

Relatives of some victims have expressed frustration over delays in recovering human remains and the lack of adequate information about the recovery process.

For the bereaved families, the uncertainty has complicated their efforts to make burial arrangements and find closure.

The tragedy has therefore created two connected humanitarian concerns: the loss of lives and the disruption of livelihoods in the community where the aircraft came down.

The Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash in Igbokoda has left a painful legacy for the families of the victims and placed additional pressure on coastal communities dependent on fishing and waterway transportation.

With approximately 1,500 fishermen reportedly affected, the consequences extend to fish traders, boat operators and households whose incomes depend on the local fishing economy.

The immediate priorities are to establish the environmental condition of the affected waterways, communicate the findings transparently, protect public health and support residents whose livelihoods have been disrupted.

Until scientific assessments establish the extent of any contamination, authorities should avoid unsupported declarations about the safety or danger of fish and water from the area.

The Federal Government, Ondo State Government and Nigerian Air Force face growing calls to ensure that the community receives the necessary environmental attention, practical assistance and a fair process for seeking compensation for demonstrable losses.

By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News