THREE persons may have died after a two-storey building collapsed in Rivers State on Saturday.
The incident occurred at Nbodo Community, Aluu, in the Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state.
According to the Punch, some people were working within the building when it caved in.
Some persons who sustained injuries from the incident were evacuated and rushed to the hospital.
The state’s Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) confirmed the collapse.
Speaking through its Public Relations Officer in the state, Olufemi Ayodele, the Corps, in a statement, said the building collapsed because the builders used substandard materials.
The Corps said preliminary investigation revealed that the rods, pillars and blocks used in the building construction were far below the required specifications.
“The collapse of the two-storey building at Aluu in Ikwerre Local Government Area could have actually been avoided if standardised materials and the right specifications were used.
“Owners of buildings and landlords are hereby advised to be wary of desperate and quack building contractors who care only about their pockets and not the lives of innocent people.
“The Rivers State Commandant lauded the Chairman Ikwerre Local Government Area, Hon. Samuel Nwanosike, for mobilising three pay loaders and providing the necessary logistics.”
The Corps said the council chairman’s effort enhanced the rescuing of the victims and recovery of three corpses during a joint rescue operation by the National Emergency Management Agency, other security agencies, its officers and well-meaning Nigerians.
The building environment has been cordoned and sealed to prevent further disaster, said the NSCDC.
Meanwhile, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mohammed Bello, has ordered the arrest of some Federal Housing Authority (FHA) officials and the developer of a two-storey building which collapsed in Abuja last Friday, where 23 persons were rescued.
The building collapsed at 6th Avenue in Gwarimpa Estate, with three persons confirmed dead.
Marcus bears the light, and he beams it everywhere. He's a good governance and decent society advocate. He's The ICIR Reporter of the Year 2022 and has been the organisation's News Editor since September 2023. Contact him via email @ mfatunmole@icirnigeria.org