Kwara Building Collapse: Mother and Four Children Killed in Ilorin Tragedy
A three-storey building collapse in Ilorin, Kwara State, has resulted in the tragic deaths of a mother and four of her children, with eight family members initially trapped. Emergency services rescued four survivors, including the father, as investigations into the cause of the partial collapse are ongoing. Officials are emphasizing adherence to building regulations and prompt reporting of structural defects to prevent future tragedies.
A section of a three-storey building collapsed at No. 41 Popo Giwa Street, beside Gogoro Mosque in Ilorin, Kwara State, early Tuesday morning, killing a mother and four of her children. The collapse occurred around 5 a.m., trapping eight members of the same family beneath the rubble, with emergency responders later rescuing four survivors, including the father and a child identified as Firdaus.
Hassan Adekunle, spokesperson for the Kwara State Fire Service, said the rescue involved SEMA, NEMA, the Fire Service, NSCDC, police, Red Cross and health officials, with an excavator deployed to clear the debris.
A rescuer identified as Abdul said the family members were trapped while they were waking up, adding that the father survived after leaving the room to perform ablution shortly before the collapse.
He was reportedly located after rescuers heard his voice, while one of the deceased, the eldest daughter, was identified as a student of Usman Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, who was expected to begin her youth service on Thursday.
SEMA Secretary Magaji Saadudeen confirmed that all eight victims were members of the same family, while the survivors were taken to hospital and the bodies of the deceased evacuated.
Police Commissioner Ojo Adekimi said preliminary findings indicated that the collapsed section was the building’s boys’ quarters, prompting authorities to evacuate occupants of the main building pending a structural assessment.
The Fire Service said the cause of the collapse had not yet been established and that further assessment would determine whether the structure should be demolished or considered safe for occupation.
Representing Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development Lawal Olohungbebe expressed condolences to the family and urged residents and developers to comply with building regulations, while Ilorin West Local Government Chairman AbdulRahman Babatunde Ladan said six to seven ambulances were deployed and advised residents to report structural defects and leave buildings showing signs of danger.