Church Building Collapses, Kills Pregnant Woman, 5 Others In Ondo

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PIC.2.THE COLLAPSED BUILDING AT JAKANDE ESTATE OKE-AFA IN ISOLO, LAGOS STATE ON WEDNESDAY(21/11/12)

 Church Building Collapses, Kills Pregnant Woman, 5 Others In Ondo

A building belonging to Cherubim and Seraphim Church said to be under construction on Tuesday collapsed, killing six people including a pregnant woman in Ija-Ugbo area of Arogbo Ijaw in Ese Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

Witnesses said the church building under renovation collapsed around 10am and also injured about four other people.

It was gathered that the victims had left their homes to the site of the church building to fetch some fire woods when the tragic incident occurred.

The church members explained that the casual workers who were working at the site had vacated the site for some time after raising the building to accommodate more members of the church.

It was also gathered that the six people which included a pregnant woman met their untimely death when the building suddenly collapsed on them.

The incident which was link to the usage of sub-standard building materials, was said to be the first in the community.

He said the incident was reported to the traditional ruler of Arogbo Ijaw, the Regent of Arogbo, Amos Sofiyea who rushed to the scene of the incident and had since commiserate with the family of the deceased.

An Information Officer with Ese-Odo local government, Monday Konwei, who also confirmed the incident said “the victims were in the church premises to gather firewood which was used in the church building before part of the dilapidated old structure and the one under construction fell on them and killed six of them.”

The Chairman of the council Caretaker Committee, Bekewe Olowu also confirmed the incident, describing it as shocking and devastating.

The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO),  Femi Joseph, also confirmed the incident.

Joseph described the incident as sad and unfortunate.

 According to the PPRO, only five people lost their lives in the incident while struggling for the used wood at the site of the building.

He gave the name of the victims to include, Morenike Bubuma, Margret Goloba, Mayama Goloba,  Kowei Aboa and the pregnant woman,  Dali Gunuboh 

His words , ” a renovation was going on 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 people were killed on the spot while four others were seriously injured and rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention”

“The people were in hurry to fetch the wood saying they should have allow the bricklayer to finish their work before invading the building.”