JUST IN: ANAMBRA BUILDING COLLAPSE KILLS MOTHER AND 14-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER AS GOVERNMENT ORDERS DEMOLITION

By NaijaParrot October 10, 2026 OKPOKO, 

ANAMBRA STATE — 

A woman and her 14-year-old daughter have died after a three-storey building under construction collapsed onto their residence in Okpoko, Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State. The incident occurred at about 9:45 p.m. on Wednesday, October 7, in the Anata Anaba area, trapping the victims inside a neighbouring bungalow. Other people reportedly caught in the rubble were rescued and taken to hospital. 

 VICTIMS IDENTIFIED 

 The deceased were identified as Happiness Ugoagu and her 14-year-old daughter, Chikaima. According to reports, the mother and daughter were in their bedroom when the building under construction came crashing down on their home. The woman’s son, Chimobi Ugoagu, said he was outside when the incident occurred, while other members of the family were inside the apartment. He alleged that residents had repeatedly warned the builder about the potential danger posed by the structure, but their concerns were not addressed.

RESIDENTS RAISE CONCERNS OVER BUILDING SAFETY 

 Some residents reportedly questioned the decision to construct a three-storey building on waterlogged land. They claimed that an engineer initially involved in the project had advised that the structure should not exceed two storeys because of the condition of the ground. According to their accounts, another engineer was subsequently engaged to continue the project. These claims have yet to be independently established, and the circumstances surrounding the construction remain subject to investigation. 

 ANAMBRA GOVERNMENT ORDERS DEMOLITION

 The Anambra State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Chijioke Ojukwu, visited the scene and described the incident as unfortunate. The commissioner said the building was unauthorised and alleged that substandard materials had been used in its construction. He also disclosed that a stop-work notice had previously been issued on the structure. Ojukwu said the government had ordered the building’s demolition and announced plans to investigate other unapproved buildings under construction in the area. The investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the collapse and examine compliance with applicable building regulations. 

 FRESH CONCERNS OVER BUILDING REGULATIONS 

 The deaths have renewed concerns about construction standards, building approvals and the enforcement of safety regulations in Nigerian communities. Buildings under construction can pose serious risks to neighbouring homes when structural integrity, soil conditions and other safety requirements are not adequately assessed. The tragedy also highlights the importance of responding promptly to credible warnings about potentially unsafe structures and ensuring that relevant authorities investigate reported violations.  

CONDOLENCES TO THE BEREAVED FAMILY

 The Chairman of Ogbaru Local Government Area, Nnamdi Ifejika, expressed sadness over the deaths and sympathised with the bereaved family. Emergency responders and residents participated in the response and recovery operation following the collapse. The victims’ remains were recovered and evacuated to a morgue, according to the Anambra State Government’s account. The cause of the collapse and the full extent of any regulatory failures remain matters for the relevant authorities to establish. 

 NaijaParrot will continue to follow the investigation and report verified updates on the incident.

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