Governor Abiodun investigates Ajuwon building collapse, warns against rule violations

Governor Dapo Abiodun has ordered a thorough investigation into the collapse of a two-storey building on Baale Road, Ajuwon, in Ifo Local Government Area. The Ogun State Government is committed to protecting lives and preventing such incidents in the future.

The building fell on Monday afternoon after a heavy thunderstorm. One person died, while several others managed to escape.

Preliminary findings from a team of investigators showed that the building had a serious structural failure. The lower floors sank into the ground, leaving parts of the upper slab visible among the rubble.

Eyewitnesses reported that the collapse happened around 3:00 p.m., right after a heavy rain with strong thunderstorms and lightning nearby. Two women and their children got out just in time after seeing signs that the building was in trouble. A young man got minor injuries while escaping before the building fell.

Emergency responders quickly arrived on the scene. This included officials from the Ogun State Safety Office, State Fire Service, and various ministries along with the Nigeria Police Force and the Ifo Local Government Water and Environmental Sanitation Department. They started search-and-rescue operations right away.

Contractors from the Akute-Alagbole and Agbado areas also brought heavy equipment to help within 10 minutes of the collapse.

Initial searches did not find any victims, but traces of blood and footprints under the rubble led teams to carefully dig through the debris. Eventually, they found one deceased victim, whose identity was still unknown at the time of the report.

The investigation team noted that while bad weather happened before the collapse, they could not pinpoint the exact cause of the failure on-site. Experts said only detailed investigations into the structure, soil, and materials could find out if the collapse was due to foundation issues, unstable soil, construction defects, or poor materials.

As a result, Governor Abiodun has instructed specialists from the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development and other relevant agencies to assess the collapsed building, check soil conditions, review construction materials, and inspect nearby buildings for any problems.

Governor Abiodun expressed his sadness about the tragic event and sent his condolences to the deceased's family. He also sympathized with everyone affected by the collapse.

He praised emergency responders, volunteers, and community members for their quick action that helped rescue many people and reduced further loss of life.

The governor assured residents that the State Government would support those affected while investigations continue. He warned that anyone found guilty of breaking building rules or using poor construction practices would face prosecution.

The Ogun State Government also thanked the Lagos State Government for its support during the emergency, calling it a sign of strong cooperation between the two states in protecting lives and property.

The government reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing physical planning rules statewide. It reminded property developers, builders, artisans, and residents to get all necessary approvals before starting construction and to follow approved plans and specifications closely.

The government warned that unauthorized changes to building designs, using poor materials, and ignoring construction standards can endanger lives and property. They emphasized that following building regulations is the best way to prevent avoidable structural failures.