The Olugbo of Ugboland, Oba Fredrick Akinruntan, has appealed to the Federal Government to urgently clean up communities in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State affected by pollution following a Nigerian Air Force plane crash in Igbokoda.

The monarch’s appeal was contained in a statement issued on Friday by his media aide, Sesan Forolagba.

The aircraft reportedly crashed in Igbokoda on October 5, 2026, killing all 25 people on board. While efforts to recover the wreckage are ongoing, residents have complained about a foul smell around the crash site and pollution of nearby water bodies.

Local fishermen have also reported losses to their businesses, while concerns have been raised over the safety of drinking water and worsening air pollution.

Oba Akinruntan made the appeal after leading other traditional rulers and members of the Olugbo-in-Council to the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base in Igbokoda.

He called on President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Environment to intervene urgently, warning that the pollution was threatening public health and livelihoods in the coastal communities.

“We urgently need the Federal Government’s immediate attention and assistance to clean up our environment. The water we drink and use for fishing has been tainted, while the air pollution is worsening by the day. We need your rescue now,” the monarch said.

While commending the armed forces for their efforts, Akinruntan stressed the need for immediate environmental remediation to protect residents and restore economic activities.

However, the Ondo State Commissioner for Information, Idowu Ajanaku, said the state government had begun efforts to sanitise the affected communities.

“The efforts are ongoing. The fumigation is going on; we have begun and it would be completed,” he said.