The Ogun State Government has launched a comprehensive investigation into the collapse of a two-storey building in Ajuwon, Ifo Local Government Area, which claimed one life and left several occupants rescued.
Governor Dapo Abiodun directed a team of structural and engineering experts to determine the exact cause of the incident, while reaffirming his administration’s commitment to enforcing building safety standards across the state.
The building, located on Baale Road in Ajuwon, caved in on Monday afternoon shortly after a heavy downpour accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorms.
According to a statement issued in Abeokuta by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, preliminary assessments carried out by a multi-agency emergency team showed that the structure suffered a catastrophic failure, causing the lower sections of the building to sink into the ground while parts of the upper slab remained visible above the rubble.
Eyewitnesses said the collapse occurred around 3:00 p.m.
Two women and their children reportedly escaped moments before the building gave way after noticing signs of structural distress.
A young man also sustained minor injuries while fleeing the premises.
Emergency response teams drawn from the Ogun State Safety Office, State Fire Service, 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 quickly arrived at the scene to begin rescue operations.
Contractors working along the Akute-Alagbole and Agbado corridor also deployed heavy equipment to support the rescue efforts, arriving at the site within minutes of the collapse.
Although initial searches did not immediately locate victims, emergency workers discovered blood stains and footprints beneath the debris, prompting a carefully coordinated excavation exercise.
The operation later led to the recovery of one deceased victim whose identity had not been confirmed at the time the statement was issued.
The state government said adverse weather conditions were recorded before the collapse but stressed that the precise cause of the structural failure could not be established through preliminary inspection alone.
It noted that comprehensive structural, geotechnical and forensic engineering investigations would be required to determine whether the collapse resulted from foundation failure, unstable soil conditions, construction defects, the use of substandard building materials or other underlying factors.
Governor Abiodun has consequently 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, alongside other regulatory authorities, to carry out detailed examinations of the collapsed building, assess soil integrity, test construction materials and inspect neighbouring structures for possible structural weaknesses.
The governor expressed sadness over the incident and extended condolences to the family of the deceased, while sympathising with other victims affected by the disaster.
He also praised emergency responders, volunteers and members of the community for their swift intervention, noting that their prompt actions contributed to the successful rescue of several occupants and helped prevent further casualties.
Abiodun assured residents that the state government would provide necessary assistance to those affected while investigations continue.
He warned that any individual or organisation found to have violated approved building regulations, deviated from authorised construction plans or compromised established building standards would face prosecution in accordance with the law.
The Ogun State Government also acknowledged the support received from the Lagos State Government during the emergency response, describing the collaboration as evidence of the strong partnership between the two neighbouring states in safeguarding lives and property.
Reiterating its commitment to preventing similar incidents, the government urged developers, contractors, artisans and property owners to obtain all required approvals before embarking on construction projects and to strictly comply with approved building plans and specifications.
It further cautioned that unauthorised modifications to approved designs, the use of inferior construction materials and failure to comply with building regulations remain major threats to public safety and significantly increase the risk of structural collapse.
