Two-storey building sinks into ground in Ajuwon – three bodies recovered, others feared trapped
By Ishaya Ibrahim
A two-storey building sank into the ground on Monday at Baale Street in Ajuwon (close to the main market), Ogun State, trapping several occupants. Three bodies have so far been recovered.
As of the time of filing this report, the three bodies had been taken to the mortuary at General Hospital, Otta, as there is no state-owned mortuary in the immediate area.
The incident happened around 2pm amid a heavy downpour. Curiously, there were no signs of structural defect before the collapse.
The ground and first floors sank into the earth, leaving only the second floor standing.
Three persons, a grandmother, her toddler grandchild, and another man, all on the top floor were rescued and taken to hospital. Occupants of the ground and first floors were not as fortunate.
Residents said the building was originally a bungalow before it was reconstructed into a two-storey structure about 20 years ago. Its condition, they said, was worsened by the topography of the area, which regularly traps water whenever it rains.
An earthmover was deployed to aid the rescue effort as of the time of filing this report.
