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Expectant woman, five others killed in Ondo building collapse

By Oluwaseun Akingboye, Akure 
21 March 2018   |   3:17 am
Six persons including a pregnant woman were crushed to death yesterday in Ija-Ugbo area of Arogbo Ijaw in Ese Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State, following the collapse of a Cherubim and Seraphim Church under construction. About four other persons were said to be seriously injured when the building, which was under renovation, collapsed…

Six persons including a pregnant woman were crushed to death yesterday in Ija-Ugbo area of Arogbo Ijaw in Ese Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State,

Six persons including a pregnant woman were crushed to death yesterday in Ija-Ugbo area of Arogbo Ijaw in Ese Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State, following the collapse of a Cherubim and Seraphim Church under construction.

About four other persons were said to be seriously injured when the building, which was under renovation, collapsed on them around 10:00a.m.

According to an eyewitness, the deceased had left their homes to the church premises to fetch firewood when it occurred suddenly. He disclosed that the building was renovated and enlarged to accommodate more members by the casual workers, but it suddenly collapsed and killed the deceased instantly while the workers were away. 

 
The source lamented that the incident was strange and the first of its kind in the community, attributing the collapse to the use of substandard materials by the contractor. 

He added that people in the neighbourhood informed the traditional ruler and regent of Arogbo, Amos Sofiyea, who rushed to the scene to commiserate with the families of the victims. 

The council’s Information Officer, Mr. Monday Konwei, confirmed the accident, saying “the victims were in the church premises to gather firewood, which was used in the church before part of the dilapidated old structure and the one under construction fell on them and killed six of them.”

The Caretaker Committee Chairman, Mr. Bekewe Olowu, described it as shocking and devastating, while the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Femi Joseph, also described the incident as sad and unfortunate. 

But Joseph said only five persons lost their lives in the incident, revealing that the victims were killed while struggling for the used wood at the site. 

According to him, “a renovation was ongoing in one of the churches in the area, they are trying to build a bigger church and while trying to demolish the old one after building the new one, the building collapsed while people were struggling for wood.  Five persons were killed on the spot while four others were seriously injured and rushed to a nearby hospital.”

He listed the names of the victims to include: Morenike Bubuma, Margret Goloba, Mayama Goloba, Kowei Aboa and the pregnant woman, Dali Gunuboh.  

Joseph noted that the tragic death could be avoided but “the people were in hurry to fetch the wood,” saying they should have allowed the bricklayers to finish their work before invading the building. 

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