Gov Abiodun Orders Probe as Ogun Building Collapse Kills 3, 12 Rescued

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has ordered a full investigation into the tragic collapse of a two-storey mixed-use building in Ajuwon, Ifo Local Government Area, which claimed three lives and left 12 others rescued alive.

The incident occurred on Monday, July 27, along Baale Road near OGS Bus Stop, shortly after a heavy downpour and thunderstorm.

According to official reports, the building did not collapse sideways as initially believed. Instead, its foundation failed, causing the structure to sink almost vertically into the ground. The impact was so severe that only the upper portion of the building remained visible above the rubble, forcing emergency responders to deploy excavators and other heavy equipment to reach trapped victims.

The building housed shops on the ground floor and residential apartments above. Reports indicate that some occupants had noticed cracks in the structure before the collapse, while some tenants had reportedly moved out months earlier over safety concerns.

*Rescue Operation and Casualties*

Emergency responders, including the Ogun State Emergency Management Agency, OGSEMA, Ogun State Fire and Safety Services, the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, carried out a search-and-rescue operation that lasted more than 24 hours.

Twelve people were rescued alive, including two infants aged about 41 days from different families. Sadly, an adult woman, a baby girl, and a 75-year-old man lost their lives. Their bodies were later recovered and deposited at the Ifo General Hospital Mortuary.

Following the tragedy, conflicting reports flooded social media, with some users claiming the building was four storeys high and that the death toll was much higher. However, official confirmation stated that it was a two-storey building, three people died, and 12 others were rescued alive.

Some residents alleged that the Ogun State Fire and Safety Services were the first responders to arrive after distress calls, while ambulances and other agencies came later to support the operation. GTVDaily has not independently verified the sequence of arrivals.

*Governor Orders Probe, Warns Against Substandard Building*

Governor Abiodun has directed a comprehensive technical investigation to determine the exact cause of the collapse. He also warned against the use of substandard construction materials and urged strict compliance with building regulations to prevent similar tragedies.

The incident has again highlighted the need to take visible structural cracks and other warning signs seriously. Residents are advised to report any signs of structural distress to the appropriate authorities immediately and seek professional assessments rather than waiting until disaster strikes.