Building Collapse Claims Four Lives in Ilorin, Four Rescued

Four people have died after a two-storey building collapsed at Masalasi Gogoro, Popo-Giwa/Abemi area of Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The Kwara State Fire Service said the incident occurred at about 5 a.m., with eight people trapped after eight of the building’s 26 rooms collapsed.

Firefighters led the search-and-rescue operation and successfully rescued four victims alive, while four others were recovered and suspected dead.

The victims were identified as Muhammed Bolakale, 55; Fasilat, 53; Mistura, 28; Barakat, 26; Zainab, 23; Hajia, 15; Muqtar, 7; and Fridaos, 10.

The Fire Service said its assessment showed that the building was unsafe and unfit for habitation, with structural components unable to withstand the pressure placed on them.

The Federal Fire Service and other emergency agencies, including NSCDC, SEMA, NEMA, the Nigeria Police, KWARTMA, Nigerian Red Cross, ambulance services and relevant ministries, supported the rescue operation. Two excavators were also deployed to clear the debris.

The Chief Fire Officer, CFO Alabi Muhammed, commended the firefighters and other agencies for their efforts and urged residents to report cracks and other signs of structural weakness.

He also advised property owners to have buildings regularly assessed and maintained by qualified professionals.