From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
Four people have been confirmed dead after a two-storey building collapsed at Masalasi Gogoro, Popo-Giwa/Abemi area of Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State, trapping eight victims under the rubble.
The incident, which occurred at about 5:08am on Tuesday, involved a building containing about 26 rooms, eight of which reportedly collapsed, leaving the occupants trapped beneath the debris.
Four victims were rescued alive during the painstaking search-and-rescue operation, while four others were recovered and suspected to have died in the incident.
The victims were identified as Muhammed Bolakale, 55; Fasilat, 53; Mistura, 28; Barakat, 26; Zainab, 23; Hajia, 15; Muqtar, seven; and Fridaos, 10.
The Kwara State Fire Service, which responded to the emergency, said its personnel worked under difficult conditions to locate and evacuate those trapped in the collapsed structure.
According to the service, the building was found to be unsafe and unfit for habitation, with the structure apparently unable to withstand pressure on its structural components.
The Chief Fire Officer of the Kwara State Fire Service, CFO Alabi Muhammed, commended the firefighters for their courage, resilience and professionalism during the rescue operation.
He also appreciated the Federal Fire Service and other emergency agencies for their prompt intervention and cooperation.
The Federal Fire Service, Kwara State Command, worked alongside the state fire service during the operation, while other agencies, including the NSCDC Disaster Management Department, Emergency Ambulance Services, Hospital Management Bureau, SEMA, NEMA, KWARTMA, Nigeria Police Force, Life Glide Ambulance, Nigerian Red Cross Society and the Ministry of Environment, provided support.
Two excavators were also deployed to assist in removing the debris and gaining access to areas where victims were believed to be trapped.
The fire service urged residents to promptly report visible signs of structural weakness, cracks and other conditions that could indicate that a building is unsafe.
It also advised property owners to ensure that their buildings are regularly assessed and maintained by qualified professionals to prevent further loss of lives and property.
