By; Niyi Ogungbola, Abeokuta.
Confusion and wailing rented the air of Abeokuta the Ogun State capital early Friday morning following the collapse of a four storey shopping complex under construction by the State Government at Itoku market as two people were fared dead.
New Nigerian gathered that the building suddenly collapsed at about 8:30am while about 40 workers were already on site for their daily work.
Although, reasons for the collapse could not be ascertained as at press time, unconfirmed source said it was as a result of substandard building materials used by the builders.
New Nigerian investigation further revealed that eight people who were critically injured were rescued from the rubbles in the morning and rushed to the State General Hospital, Ijaye Abeokuta while two gave up the ghost instantly.
As at the time of filing this story, rescue teams comprising members of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Fire Brigade, Police and other security agencies were still searching for the remaining workers who were suggested to be trapped under the collapsed building.
Meanwhile, in a press release, the State Government through the State Commission for Information and Strategy, Chief Adedayo Adeneye confirmed that 16 people, mainly site workers were involved in the unfortunate incident.
According to him, “at the moment, records from the site engineers indicated that there were 16 workers on site at the time of the unfortunate incident and they have all been accounted for”.
He added that eight of the victims were rescued unhurt, five who sustained different degrees of injuries are presently receiving treatment at the State Hospital, Ijaiye, Abeokuta while one is critically injured, two were said to have been discharged.
Adeneye further informed that efforts to clear the rubble at the collapsed building site are ongoing, adding that Government has requested the combined rescue team to be more diligent in their operations as some non-site workers may also be trapped in the rubble.
