Kwara Governor, Others Condole Families After Fatal Building Collapse in Ilorin

Following the tragic collapse of a three-storey building in Ilorin, Kwara State, which claimed the lives of four family members, prominent state officials including Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, and Senator Saliu Mustapha of Kwara Central Senatorial District, have expressed profound sorrow.

The unfortunate incident occurred on Tuesday at No. 41 Popo Giwa Street, situated near Gogoro Mosque in the Popo Giwa/Abemi area of Ilorin West Local Government Area. The structure's collapse trapped eight members of a single family beneath the rubble. While emergency teams tirelessly worked for hours to sift through the debris, successfully rescuing four individuals, four others tragically lost their lives.

Governor AbdulRazaq conveyed his deep sadness over the calamity in a Facebook post late on Tuesday. He confirmed his visit to the injured survivors to assess their condition, stating, “I am saddened by the tragic collapse of a 3-storey building in Popo Giwa area of Ilorin, earlier today. My heart goes out to victims of the very sad incident. I have paid a get-well-visit to those injured during the building collapse.”

The Governor assured that his administration is committed to providing essential medical care and other necessary assistance to the survivors, aiming for their stable recovery. He added, “I wished them safe and quick recovery. Our government is giving them the necessary medical care and support to ensure they are stable and recover promptly.” AbdulRazaq also mentioned that a state government delegation, led by the Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Lawal Olohungbebe, had earlier visited the site to evaluate the situation and offer condolences to the affected community.

Commending the swift actions of first responders and community volunteers involved in the rescue operation, Governor AbdulRazaq described their efforts as a testament to the community’s solidarity during trying times. He lauded, “I commend all our first responders from the State Emergency Management Agency to the State Fire Service, the Ilorin West Local Government authorities, and all our community volunteers for the coordinated rescue efforts.” He further emphasized, “It is a reflection of our values as a people who solidarise with one another during moments of need and grief.” The Governor also highlighted the incident as a critical reminder for increased adherence to construction safety standards. He offered prayers for the bereaved families and reiterated, “Again, this is another pointer to the fact that we must take safety protocols seriously in construction.” AbdulRazaq affirmed his government's unwavering commitment to enforcing construction regulations and called for public cooperation on safety matters, stating, “Our administration is irrevocably committed to upholding standards always to keep our people safe. We appeal for your cooperation and support as citizens.”

In a separate statement released by his Media Assistant, Nasif Sholagberu, Senator Saliu Mustapha expressed profound grief over the fatalities and extended his sympathies to the victims' families and the residents of the affected area. Describing the event as a tragedy, the Senator also praised the emergency personnel for their rescue efforts. Mustapha urged for stricter compliance with building regulations, particularly from property owners and developers, cautioning against practices that endanger occupants and the public. He implored residents to proactively report any signs of structural weakness before they escalate into dangerous situations, while also praying for the speedy recovery of those injured and showing solidarity with the bereaved.

Similarly, Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly and APC governorship candidate, conveyed his condolences to the families of the deceased. In a statement from his Chief Press Secretary, Abdulkadir Yusuf, Danladi-Salihu termed the incident as unfortunate, praying for the swift recovery of the injured survivors. He also commended the state government and the combined rescue teams for their prompt response to the disaster.