In a remarkable act of heroism, a group of volunteers from the Ogun State community has rescued over 50 people trapped in a building collapse caused by heavy rainfall.
The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning in the Abeokuta area, following several days of continuous downpour, which weakened the foundation of a two-story residential building.
The collapse took residents by surprise, as many were still asleep when the building came crashing down. Local residents quickly mobilized to assist in the rescue efforts before emergency services arrived on the scene.
These brave volunteers, alongside the Ogun State Fire Service and Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), worked tirelessly to pull survivors from the rubble.
The head of Ogun State’s emergency response team commended the volunteers for their swift action. “Without the immediate response from local residents, the number of casualties would have been much higher.
We appreciate the community’s efforts and urge people to remain cautious, especially in areas prone to flooding and structural damage,” she said.
Several survivors were taken to nearby hospitals, where they are receiving treatment for injuries. Unfortunately, five people have been confirmed dead, while others remain in critical condition.
In response to this tragic incident, the state government has vowed to conduct inspections of buildings in flood-prone areas to ensure structural integrity and prevent future disasters.
The community is also calling for improved infrastructure to mitigate the effects of heavy rainfall and protect residents from similar occurrences.
Authorities have advised citizens to remain indoors during severe weather conditions and report any signs of structural instability to the relevant agencies.
