A building collapse in Osogbo, Osun State, has left at least three people trapped under the debris, while two others have been rescued. The incident occurred around 8:00 a.m. on Sunday in the Sabo area. The uncompleted building was reportedly used by hoodlums for illicit activities.
A local resident and member of the Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Service reported hearing a loud noise as the building suddenly collapsed. “The incident happened between 7:30 and 8:00 a.m. this morning (Sunday). A loud sound was heard. The house is not inhabited by anyone, but some people usually hide there to smoke or gamble. Some people were trapped,” he said.
In a statement, Kehinde Adeleke, spokesperson for the Osun State Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), confirmed that two individuals had been rescued from the rubble, while three others remain trapped under the decking. The statement also detailed the ongoing rescue efforts and the NSCDC’s involvement in the response. “While we await the crane, people are doing all they can within their physical capacity to break the decking and connected rods,” Adeleke said.
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke emphasized the importance of obtaining approved building plans to ensure construction standards and prevent unnecessary loss of life and injury. In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, the governor warned developers and residents against constructing buildings without proper authorization. He stressed that buildings compromising human safety would be demolished and underscored the necessity of adhering to building regulations to avoid such tragedies.
“A building plan is not an optional step in the construction process as it prevents substandard houses that frequently collapse and pose safety risks to occupants and the environment,” the governor stated.
Governor Adeleke directed the Ministry of Lands to enforce the requirement for approved building plans more rigorously. “Our officials must go to the estates and development areas to ensure houses are constructed according to approved plans. We need to save lives by ensuring that houses are built to standard. We must also be proactive by testing the strength of houses before a human tragedy occurs. Substandard houses, once identified, should be pulled down before they collapse,” he added.
The governor also vowed to sanction those who refuse to comply with the approved building plans. “I further direct relevant agencies to pull down substandard houses before they cause harm. We must not wait for lives to be lost before we act,” he stated.
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