A two-storey shopping complex in the Bintinlaye area of Owode, Ede, Nigeria, collapsed on Friday night, resulting in the deaths of three people and hospitalisation of five others. The incident occurred at around 11:00 p.m. in Zone 8, Oke Alaafia Community. The building, comprising six shops on the upper floor, six shops on the middle floor, and two stores on the ground floor, covered an estimated area of 50 metres by 100 metres.
The Federal Fire Service and other security operatives responded to the incident, rescuing the five injured persons around 11 p.m. and rushing them to Idera Specialist Hospital in Ede, Osun State. The bodies of the three deceased victims were recovered from the rubble and handed over to the Nigeria Police Force, A Division, Ede. The rescue operation was carried out in collaboration with the Osun State Fire Service, Ede Station, personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, and officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
According to the Osun State Command of the Federal Fire Service, the incident was reported through its emergency line at around 11:30 p.m. The Command deployed its personnel to the scene and began a rescue operation. The Public Relations Officer, DSF Ojo Omoyemi Olamide, disclosed that the five victims were taken to Idera Specialist Hospital for urgent medical attention.
Preliminary investigations by the Fire Service suggest that structural defects and the use of substandard building materials may have caused the collapse. The Command stated that the estimated value of property lost in the incident was N100 million, while property worth approximately N150 million was reportedly saved during the operation.
The rescue operation was successfully concluded at around 9:26 a.m. on Saturday, after which the personnel returned to the station. The operation was led by SP Bamidele of the Nigeria Police Force, A Division, Ede, and CSC Oyekunle of the NSCDC, Owode-Ede Division.
The incident has raised concerns about building safety and regulations in the area. The Federal Fire Service and other agencies are expected to continue investigating the cause of the collapse and take measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The affected community is in shock, and the incident has sparked a renewed call for building owners and developers to adhere to safety standards and regulations. The government and relevant agencies have been urged to take action to prevent such incidents and ensure the safety of citizens.
Key points
- Three people died and five others were hospitalised when a two-storey shopping complex collapsed in Ede, Nigeria.
- The incident was attributed to suspected structural defects and the use of substandard building materials.
- The estimated value of property lost in the incident was N100 million.
