5 People Died At This Collapsed Church Building Under Construction In Ibadan Yesterday

A building under construction at the site of New Covenant Church, Sagbe, Ojoo in Ibadan collapsed during a downpour, claiming five lives including two women with two others seriously injured on Wednesday night.

Rubble of the church building that collapsed in Ibadan.

It was the prompt response of security men, men of the Federal Road Safety Corps, policemen and other sympathizers that saved the two survivors.

Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State and his wife, Florence visited the scene around 1.30am to give helping hands to those who were trapped under the rubbles.

During a visit to the scene of the incident, all the working implements like head pans, shovel, clothes were seen scattered on the ground.

One of the survivors, Mr Wole Sokunbi said, “we were 13 people working on the building when the rain started and we were waiting under this building to collect our daily allowances from pastor, the foreman. Suddenly the building collapsed. Only pastor, myself and one of the women fetching water for us survived”.

All the corpses and those injured had been taken away from the site.

According to an eyewitness, the workers had finished the day’s work and were waiting for the contractor to come and pay them their wages when the structures caved in suddenly.

He said: “They had finished working for the day. They had cleaned up and were waiting for the contractor. Then, the rain started. It was then they took shelter under the deck. Then, suddenly, we heard a loud bang. Two of them who are Hausas tried to escape but the iron rod held their legs. But, they were quickly rescued and taken to the hospital.”

A member of the church, Mr. Oyegoke Francis described the incident as unfortunate.

Governor Ajimobi blamed the incident on the failure of the contractor handling the church building to use quality materials as well as his (contractor’s) intention to cut cost.

“If the contractor had not compromised quality, this incident would not have happened,” the governor said, regretting that it could happen despite repeated warning that people should ensure quality in everything they were doing, including building construction.

He ordered that thorough investigation be carried out on the circumstances surrounding the collapse of the building.