No fewer than 5 dead bodies have been evacuated from the scene of a building collapse at No. 85 Azikiwe Road by Asa road, Aba Abia State, ABN TV reports.
This is according to the State Commissioner of Police, CP Janet E. Agbede.
She also said a male survivor who sustained minor injuries was rushed to the hospital, where he was treated and discharged while the contractor who handled the project has been arrested.
Briefing newsmen in Umuahia on Friday, CP Agbede said the dead bodies comprise of two males and three females.
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While dispelling reports that the relevant agencies did not take action to rescue trapped victims after the incident, CP Agbede said the Area Commander Aba, ACP Kabiru Ibrahim along with all the DPOs and their personnel within Aba Area Command immediately arrived at the scene, cordoned it and invited other agencies for the rescue mission.
“As at now, five yet to be identified dead bodies of two males and three females have been recovered while one male survivor who sustained minor injuries was rushed to the hospital, where he was treated and discharged.
“However, the contractor, one Bassey Afokwalam m has been arrested and the owner of the building one Emmanuel Ohaka resident in Lagos has been contacted,” she said.
CP Agbede who said that the State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has visited the scene for on-the-spot assessment of the situation cautioned the public on the use of non-qualified personnel to execute their building projects.
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“It is important to note that His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu timely arrived the scene for an on the spot assessment of the incident.
“The essence of this briefing is to debunk the baseless reports in some of the Media that the relevant authorities and agencies did not do anything to rescue the trapped victims.
“More efforts have been intensified to ensure proper evacuation of the debris with a view to discovering possible victims, while investigation lasts.
“Furthermore, I wish to use this medium to advice members of the public to ensure that their building projects are handled by qualified Architects, Structural Engineers, and other relevant contractors. This would minimize the occurrence of similar incidents in the future”.