Panic gripped residents of the Federal Low Cost Housing Estate along Olokoro Road in Umuahia, Abia State, when an uncompleted three-storey building suddenly collapsed around 3 a.m. on Saturday, July 26, injuring a nursing mother and her five-month-old baby. The building, situated in the Ohobo Afara area, crashed onto a nearby bungalow, partially destroying it and trapping a family of seven inside.
Eyewitnesses said the impact of the collapse left parts of the bungalow in ruins, but miraculously, five other family members managed to escape unharmed. Locals described the scene as chaotic in the early morning hours, with neighbors rushing out of their homes to assist in rescuing the victims from the rubble.
The injured mother and her child, alongside another individual who sustained minor injuries, were immediately taken to a nearby private hospital for treatment. They are reported to be in stable condition.
A security guard stationed on the premises, Mr. Babayu Adamu, told reporters that the collapsed structure had previously shown warning signs of instability. He noted that reinforcement efforts were made months earlier, but added that there had been no visible cracks or structural shifts in the days leading up to the collapse. According to him, the building had already been roofed and was awaiting internal finishing.
Two other three-storey buildings on the same property have also shown signs of structural distress. During an inspection of the scene, the General Manager of the Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA), Mr. Kingsley Agomoh, confirmed that both buildings would undergo integrity tests to determine their safety. He also announced that the UCDA has officially sealed the premises and launched a full investigation to uncover the cause of the collapse.
Agomoh expressed relief that the lives of the mother and child were not lost and assured the public that the state government would take the necessary steps to prevent future occurrences. He emphasized that if the investigation reveals negligence or violation of building regulations, the owner of the structure would face sanctions in line with existing laws.
Saturday’s incident adds to the growing number of building collapses across Nigeria, many of which have been attributed to substandard materials, poor engineering practices, and weak regulatory enforcement. The UCDA has reiterated its commitment to enforcing safety compliance among property developers in Umuahia and beyond.
