Mother and Baby Injured as Uncompleted Three-Storey Building Collapses in Umuahia
An uncompleted three-storey building collapsed in Umuahia, Abia State, injuring a mother and her baby. Officials have sealed the premises and launched an investigation into the cause, raising concerns over building safety and regulations in Nigeria.
A mother and her five-month-old baby are currently receiving treatment in a private hospital after sustaining injuries from a building collapse that occurred early Saturday morning in Umuahia, Abia State.
The incident happened around 3am at Olokoro Road, Federal Low Cost Housing Estate, Ohobo Afara, when an uncompleted three-storey building gave way, crashing onto a nearby bungalow that housed a family of seven.
Miraculously, five members of the family escaped unhurt. The worst hit were the nursing mother and her infant, who were reportedly asleep when the collapse happened. Another individual also sustained injuries.
Eyewitnesses who spoke to journalists said the building had shown warning signs of structural weakness before its eventual collapse. “It had started to bend and crack before now,” one resident said. “We just didn’t expect it to give way like this.”
Mr. Babayu Adamu, a security guard at the premises, added that though earlier reinforcements were made on the building, no recent signs of danger were noted. “It was already roofed and awaiting finishing work,” he said.
Two other three-storey buildings on the same plot have also reportedly caved in, raising serious concerns about the integrity of construction in the area.
Responding to the emergency, officials of the Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA) sealed the collapsed building’s premises. The General Manager of UCDA, Mr. Kingsley Agomoh, visited the scene and expressed relief that no lives were lost, especially the nursing mother and baby, whose injuries could have been fatal.
Agomoh confirmed that investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of the collapse and promised that those found culpable will face legal consequences.
“This is a serious breach,” Agomoh stated. “We are not going to take this lightly. The owner of the building, the contractors involved—whoever cut corners—will be held accountable.”
He urged residents and developers to prioritize safety, obtain the proper building approvals, and adhere strictly to engineering standards.
As news of the collapse spreads, many locals are calling for tighter regulations, better monitoring, and a public audit of uncompleted structures in the capital city to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
