Two children have been rescued following the collapse of a two-storey residential building in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, on Thursday morning.
The incident occurred at about 9:10 a.m. on Ajegunle Street, off Sabo-Line in the Isale area, where a six-flat building reportedly gave way, raising renewed concerns about structural safety in residential properties.
Children Rescued Before Emergency Arrival
According to the Kwara State Fire Service, the children were trapped in the rubble shortly after the collapse but were rescued before firefighters arrived at the scene.
The Fire Service spokesperson, Hassan Adekunle, confirmed the rescue and identified the children as Ahmad (8) and Hussainat (10).
He explained that both children were immediately taken to a nearby hospital for medical attention after being pulled from the debris.
Firefighters Begin Salvage Operations
Following the arrival of emergency responders, firefighters commenced salvage operations at the site.
Officials recovered items from accessible sections of the building, including clothing, electronics, food supplies, and important personal documents belonging to residents.
The operation also involved assessing the extent of damage and ensuring no additional victims were trapped within the structure.
Authorities Flag Safety Risks in Adjacent Buildings
After an on-site inspection, the Fire Service raised concerns about the structural integrity of nearby buildings.
It recommended that the Disaster Management Department of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) take immediate action to prevent further risk in the area.
The recommendation included sealing off the collapsed structure and issuing a seven-day ultimatum for evacuation of a neighbouring building deemed unsafe for habitation.
The NSCDC Disaster Management unit subsequently sealed off the affected site and enforced evacuation directives on the adjacent structure.
Prior Warning Signs Reported
Officials also disclosed that the caretaker of the collapsed building had previously been alerted to the deteriorating condition of the property before the incident occurred.
This development has intensified concerns over enforcement of building safety regulations and early intervention by property stakeholders.
Fire Service Urges Preventive Maintenance
The Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Alabi Muhammed, who supervised operations at the scene, urged property owners to prioritize regular structural integrity checks.
He emphasized the importance of responding promptly to early warning signs such as wall cracks, weak foundations, and visible structural defects.
According to him, proactive maintenance and compliance with safety standards remain critical to preventing avoidable building collapses.
