Four people have died while four others were rescued alive after part of a two-storey building collapsed at the Masalasi Gogoro area of Popo-Giwa/Abemi in Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The incident occurred at about 5:08am on Tuesday, with eight rooms of the approximately 26-room building collapsing and trapping eight occupants beneath the debris.
The victims involved were identified as Muhammed Bolakale, 55; Fasilat, 53; Mistura, 28; Barakat, 26; Zainab, 23; Hajia, 15; Muqtar, 7; and Fridaos, 10.
The Kwara State Fire Service, which responded to the incident, said its personnel immediately commenced search-and-rescue operations upon arrival at the scene.
According to the service, four victims were successfully rescued alive, while four others were recovered and suspected to have died in the collapse.
The Chief Fire Officer of the Kwara State Fire Service, CFO Alabi Muhammed, commended the firefighters for their courage, resilience and professionalism during what he described as a highly challenging rescue operation.
He also appreciated the Federal Fire Service, Kwara State Command, and other emergency agencies for their timely intervention and cooperation in the rescue efforts.
The fire service said the building was found to be unsafe and unfit for habitation, noting that it appeared unable to withstand the pressure exerted on its structural components.
The rescue operation involved the Federal Fire Service, NSCDC Disaster Management Department, Emergency Ambulance Services, Hospital Management Bureau, State Emergency Management Agency, National Emergency Management Agency, Kwara State Road Traffic Management Agency, Nigeria Police Force, Life Glide Ambulance, Nigerian Red Cross Society and the Ministry of Environment.
Two excavators were also deployed to facilitate the careful removal of debris and provide 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 avoidable loss of lives and property.
