A tragic building collapse in Ogun State has claimed the lives of a senior nurse and her daughter, prompting the state government to launch a full investigation into the cause of the incident.
The victims were identified as 45-year-old Oluwaseun Sodiya, a Senior Nursing Sister with the Ogun State Hospital Management Board, and her daughter.
They were trapped when a residential building collapsed on Monday at Ajuwon in Ifo Local Government Area, a border community between Ogun and Lagos states.
The two-storey building reportedly housed shops on the ground floor and residential apartments above. Witnesses said Sodiya was attempting to flee the building with her two children after hearing unusual cracking sounds from the structure.
While her son managed to escape moments before the collapse, she and her daughter were trapped beneath the rubble.
Emergency responders recovered their bodies the following day and deposited them at the General Hospital in Ifo. The family announced that both victims would be buried on Friday in Ajilete, Ogun State.
Following the incident, Governor Dapo Abiodun directed relevant agencies to carry out a comprehensive investigation into the collapse. Preliminary findings indicated that the building suffered a major structural failure, with the lower section sinking into the ground while parts of the upper slab remained visible.
Officials said the collapse occurred shortly after heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms. Rescue operations involved personnel from the Ogun State Safety Office, Fire Service, police, and other government agencies, with heavy equipment deployed to clear the debris and search for survivors.
The state government said structural, geotechnical and forensic engineering experts would determine whether the collapse resulted from foundation defects, soil instability, construction flaws, substandard materials or other factors. Adjoining buildings are also expected to undergo safety inspections.
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Governor Abiodun assured affected residents of government support and warned that anyone found to have violated building regulations or compromised construction standards would face prosecution.
The Ogun State Government also appreciated the Lagos State Government for its assistance during the emergency response, describing the collaboration as a reflection of the strong partnership between both states in protecting lives and property.
Colleagues and members of the Penpushing Media planning committee, where Sodiya served, paid tribute to her, describing her as a dedicated and committed professional whose death is a painful loss to her family and the wider community.
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