A devastating incident occurred on Wednesday night in Okpoko, Anambra State, when a three-storey building under construction collapsed, resulting in the tragic deaths of a woman and her 14-year-old daughter. The collapse happened around 9:45 PM, trapping the victims inside their nearby bungalow, which was struck by debris from the falling structure.

Eyewitnesses reported that the building made a loud noise before it fell, with its walls cracking ominously as it succumbed to its own weight. Panic ensued among local residents as they rushed to assist those trapped under the rubble. Emergency responders arrived swiftly to the scene, managing to rescue several individuals who were subsequently taken to the hospital for treatment.

Residents expressed their concerns about the building’s safety prior to the collapse, citing the waterlogged condition of the land as a significant risk factor. They claimed that the original engineer had recommended limiting the construction to two floors due to the unstable ground, a suggestion that was reportedly ignored when a new engineer was brought on board to complete the project.

The collapse also claimed the lives of the landlady of the neighbouring bungalow and her youngest child. A family member, identified as Chimobi, shared his grief, stating that he was outside when the building fell, while his mother and sister were tragically caught inside their bedroom. "It’s unfortunate. We had earlier warned the builder about the danger posed by the structure, but our concerns were not heeded," he lamented.

Following the incident, the Anambra State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Chijioke Ojukwu, visited the site and described the event as unfortunate. He confirmed that the building was illegal and had previously been issued a stop-work order due to safety violations. Ojukwu highlighted the use of substandard materials as a contributing factor to the collapse and announced that the land would be forfeited to the state government as part of ongoing investigations into other unapproved constructions in the area.

This tragic event has raised serious questions about building regulations and safety standards in Anambra State. As the community mourns the loss of the mother and daughter, officials are under pressure to ensure that such incidents do not happen again, emphasizing the need for stricter oversight of construction practices to protect residents from similar tragedies in the future.