IGBOKODA: Fishermen Lament Destruction of Source of Livelihood over Plane Crash
By Olusegun HOSEA, 15th October, 2026.
The Association of Fishermen in Igbokoda, in Ilaje Local Council, has lamented the destruction of their livelihood following the naval plane crash on the 5th of October, 2026, in the swampy area of the community.
Speaking with our correspondent in Igbokoda, Mr Ikuomola Festus, the chairman of the association, said the crash had totally destroyed their fishing business. He therefore urged the Federal Government and other relevant government agencies to come to their aid by providing adequate compensation, as they could no longer fish in the affected areas due to pollution caused by the plane crash, which had resulted in fuel spillage in the waters.
According to him, Mr Ikuomola Festus said, “The incident affected us seriously, and we need an urgent clean-up and provisions to address the effects of the aviation fuel spillage at Igbokoda.”
Speaking further, the chairman said that immediately after the incident occurred, he was able to get to the scene through the traces of fuel from the aircraft, as the incident happened near his house in Igbokoda. He explained that when he got there, he was looking for the aircraft that had crashed but could not see it. The only thing he saw was the remains of human bodies scattered across the surface of the water.
Similarly, the man explained that since the incident happened, they had been unable to go there to fish because the area was no longer favourable for their activities. According to him, they needed government intervention and compensation.
While speaking, the chairman said, “I was just coming from the creek, and it is not more than five minutes ago. At times, before the incident happened, we could make up to fifty thousand naira, but since the incident happened, it has been difficult to catch even one fish from the river because of the incident. For now, people are no longer going there because it was within the area where the incident happened that we used to fish.”
He therefore appealed to the government for assistance to enable them to recover from their losses.
In another development, to ensure that the river is safe for the good people of the community, Mr Ikuomola Festus requested the government to carry out a thorough clean-up of the affected areas, describing it as very important.
The letter of appeal for clean-up and compensation written to the government was obtained by our correspondent and is attached below.
FROM: Ilaje Fishermen Association,
Igbokoda, Ondo State.
DATE: 5th October, 2026.
The Federal Government of Nigeria,
Through the Honourable Minister of Environment,
Abuja.
Dear Sir,
RE: URGENT CALL FOR CLEAN-UP AND COMPENSATION FOLLOWING NAF AIRCRAFT CRASH AND AVIATION FUEL SPILLAGE IN IGBOKODA
We, the members of the Ilaje Fishermen Association, Igbokoda Community, Ondo State, hereby implore the Federal Government to carry out an urgent clean-up exercise and pay adequate compensation following the aircraft crash and fuel spillage in our community.
On 5th October, 2026, a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft crashed opposite A&B Filling Station, Igbokoda. The crash resulted in a massive spillage of aviation fuel, which has contaminated our waters and creeks.
The spillage will have a devastating effect on fish and other aquatic life in the area, thereby threatening our only source of livelihood.
We therefore passionately appeal to the Federal Government and relevant authorities to intervene immediately.
Thank you.
Yours faithfully,
Festus Ikuomola
Chairman, Ilaje Fishermen Association, Igbokoda.
Phone: 08053206889
Date: 5th October, 2026.
