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Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has ordered a comprehensive technical investigation into the collapse of a two-storey building on Baale Road, Ajuwon, in Ifo Local Government Area, which claimed one life.
In a statement issued in Abeokuta on Tuesday, the governor’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, said the state government remains committed to protecting lives and preventing similar incidents.
The building collapsed on Monday afternoon following a severe thunderstorm. While one person died, several occupants escaped the incident.
According to Akinmade, preliminary findings by a multi-agency investigation team indicated that the building suffered a catastrophic structural failure, causing the lower floors to sink into the ground while only parts of the upper slab remained above the debris.
Eyewitnesses said the building gave way at about 3:00 p.m., shortly after a heavy downpour accompanied by thunderstorms and a reported lightning strike. Two women and their children reportedly escaped after noticing signs of structural distress, while a young man sustained minor injuries as he fled the building.
Emergency responders from the Ogun State Safety Office, State Fire Service, the Ministries of Environment, Physical Planning and Urban Development, Works and Infrastructure, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Ifo Local Government Water and Environmental Sanitation Department immediately launched search-and-rescue operations.
Contractors working in the Akute-Alagbole and Agbado axis also deployed heavy equipment to the scene within 10 minutes of the collapse to support rescue efforts.
Although initial surface searches found no victims, traces of blood and footprints beneath the rubble prompted emergency teams to begin a controlled excavation, leading to the recovery of one body. The victim’s identity had yet to be confirmed as of the time of filing this report.
The investigation team said adverse weather conditions preceded the collapse but noted that the exact cause could only be established through detailed structural, geotechnical and forensic engineering assessments.
Abiodun has directed specialists from the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, the Ogun State Building Control Agency, the Building Production Management and Material Testing Agency, and other relevant regulatory bodies to conduct a comprehensive investigation. The team will assess the collapsed structure, evaluate soil conditions, examine construction materials and inspect nearby buildings for possible structural defects.
The governor expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and sympathised with everyone affected by the tragedy. He also commended emergency responders, volunteers and community members for their swift response, which helped rescue several occupants and minimise further casualties.
Abiodun assured residents that the state government would support those affected while investigations continue. He warned that anyone found to have violated approved building regulations, deviated from approved plans or compromised construction standards would face prosecution.
The Ogun State Government also thanked the Lagos State Government for its support during the emergency response, describing the collaboration as a demonstration of the strong partnership between both states.
The government urged developers, builders, artisans and residents to obtain all necessary approvals before embarking on construction projects and to comply strictly with approved building plans and specifications.
It further warned that unauthorised alterations, the use of substandard materials and failure to comply with building regulations pose serious risks to lives and property, stressing that strict enforcement of construction standards remains the best safeguard against preventable building collapses.
