Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the collapse of a two-storey building at Baale Road, Ajuwon, in Ifo Local Government Area, warning that anyone found to have violated building regulations or compromised construction standards will face prosecution.
The building collapsed on Monday afternoon after a heavy downpour accompanied by a severe thunderstorm, that left one person dead while several occupants escaped unhurt.
The Press statement signed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade stated that a preliminary assessment by a multi-agency emergency team revealed that the building suffered a major structural failure, with the lower floors sinking into the ground while parts of the upper slab remained above the rubble.
Emergency responders from the Ogun State Safety Office, Fire Service, Ministries of Environment, Physical Planning and Urban Development, Works and Infrastructure, the Nigeria Police Force, and Ifo Local Government immediately launched search and rescue operations, with contractors in the Akute-Alagbole and Agbado axis providing heavy equipment to support the exercise.
Although initial searches did not locate any victims, rescue teams later recovered the body of one deceased person after further excavation of the debris.
Governor Abiodun has directed relevant government agencies, including the Ogun State Building Control Agency and the Building Production Management and Material Testing Agency, to carry out detailed structural, geotechnical and forensic investigations to determine the exact cause of the collapse and assess the safety of adjoining buildings.
The Governor expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and sympathised with others affected by the incident.
He also commended emergency responders, volunteers and community members whose swift intervention helped rescue several occupants and reduce further casualties.
Governor Abiodun assured residents that the state government would provide the necessary support to victims, while reaffirming his administration’s commitment to enforcing physical planning regulations across the state.
He urged developers, builders and residents to obtain statutory approvals before embarking on construction projects and to strictly comply with approved building plans, warning that the use of substandard materials and unauthorised alterations remain major threats to public safety.
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(Editor: Ken Eseni)
