One person has been confirmed dead and three others rescued following the collapse of a building under construction along Odili Road in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, less than 48 hours after another building collapse was reported in the Iwofe area of the state, heightening concerns over construction standards and regulatory compliance.
The structure, described by eyewitnesses as a proposed hotel or shopping complex, reportedly collapsed during the mid-morning hours, trapping several workers beneath the rubble and triggering a major emergency response operation.
Witnesses said construction workers were inside the three-storey building when it suddenly gave way, causing panic among residents and passers-by in the area.
Emergency responders, including personnel from the Rivers State Police Command, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Nigerian Red Cross Society, and other rescue agencies, were swiftly deployed to the scene.
Speaking during the rescue operation, the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Rivers State Police Command, ACP Ikechukwu Okoro, said security agencies responded immediately upon receiving reports of the collapse.
“We have been here since morning. The Commissioner of Police directed us to cordon off the area to prevent further casualties and ensure smooth rescue operations. So far, three persons have been rescued alive, although they sustained varying degrees of injuries. Unfortunately, one of the victims later died after being taken to hospital,” he said.
Okoro added that the area had been secured to prevent interference from onlookers and scavengers, stressing that the primary objective remained the rescue of trapped victims and the protection of lives.
Also speaking, Mr Val Onwumelu, popularly known as the “Instigator of Port Harcourt”, whose team deployed heavy-duty equipment to support the rescue effort, said emergency workers acted swiftly after receiving reports that individuals were trapped beneath the debris.
“When we arrived, we could hear voices coming from within the rubble. Working alongside engineers, we carefully carried out excavation operations and successfully rescued two persons alive. Sadly, one fatality has been recorded,” he said.
The Emergency First Aid Coordinator of the Nigerian Red Cross in Port Harcourt, Mr Yibotemeka Kalio, said the organisation conducted an initial assessment before deploying personnel to the site.
He confirmed that several victims had been rescued, while fears remained that others could still be trapped beneath the collapsed structure.
“Our team is working closely with other emergency agencies to conduct search-and-rescue operations. Efforts are ongoing to ensure that all victims are accounted for,” Kalio stated.
An eyewitness, Emmanuel Okon, said the building collapsed while workers were actively engaged in construction activities.
Reacting to the incident, the Rivers State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr Edward Hart, disclosed that officials of the ministry immediately visited the site following reports of the collapse.
He explained that preliminary investigations indicated that the property had been allocated by the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), which also approved the building plan.
“The building that collapsed was approved by the Federal Housing Authority. However, as a responsible government, we responded immediately to support rescue efforts and assess the situation,” Hart said.
The commissioner attributed many cases of building collapse to non-compliance with approved building plans, the use of substandard construction materials, and the engagement of unqualified personnel.
“Some developers fail to comply with approved plans, while others exceed approved specifications. In some instances, substandard materials are used. These practices significantly increase the risk of structural failure,” he stated.
Hart assured residents that the ministry would intensify monitoring and inspection of construction projects across the state to prevent similar incidents.
He urged developers to adhere strictly to approved building designs, employ qualified professionals, and ensure the use of quality materials throughout the construction process.
“As long as developers comply with approved plans, use quality materials and engage competent professionals, incidents such as this can largely be avoided,” he added.
Meanwhile, rescue operations continued into the evening as emergency responders searched for additional victims feared to be trapped beneath the rubble.
The latest incident has renewed calls for stricter enforcement of building regulations and enhanced oversight of construction activities in Rivers State.
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