One Dies As Building Collapses In Anambra, Police Begin Probe | Sahara Reporters

According to the police, the operatives cordoned off the area and commenced preliminary investigations into the circumstances surrounding the collapse.

One person has been confirmed dead after part of an old building collapsed during demolition in Otolo-Nnewi, Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The Anambra State Police Command said the incident occurred while the building was being demolished, resulting in the collapse of a section of the structure and trapping one of the workers identified as 25-year-old Bakeru Iwal.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the command’s spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, said police operatives attached to the Otolo Divisional Headquarters responded to the scene after receiving a report of the incident.

According to the police, the operatives cordoned off the area and commenced preliminary investigations into the circumstances surrounding the collapse.

“The scene was also documented, while the deceased, later identified as Bakeru Iwal, a 25-year-old male, was evacuated to the mortuary for preservation, pending autopsy and other necessary examinations,” Ikenga said.

The command said preliminary findings indicated that the building was undergoing demolition when a section of the structure suddenly gave way and trapped Iwal.

The incident has raised concerns over safety measures that may have been adopted during the demolition of the old structure.

However, the police said it was investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident to establish whether negligence or any other factor contributed to the death.

The police spokesperson said the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Nnanna Oji Ama, has directed that the investigation be conducted professionally and thoroughly.

The police commissioner also directed investigators to determine whether any person bears responsibility for the incident, adding that appropriate action would be taken based on the outcome of the investigation.

“The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, has directed that the investigation be conducted professionally and thoroughly to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine whether any person bears responsibility, with appropriate action to be taken based on the outcome of the investigation,” Ikenga stated.

The command urged members of the public to remain calm and allow the investigation to proceed, adding that further updates would be provided as the investigation progresses.