25-YEAR-OLD WORKER DIES AS BUILDING COLLAPSES DURING DEMOLITION IN ANAMBRA

A 25-year-old worker, Bakeru Iwal, has died after a section of an old building he was helping to demolish collapsed on him in Otolo-Nnewi, Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The incident occurred on Tuesday when the structure, which was undergoing demolition, suddenly caved in and trapped Iwal beneath the debris.

Residents and eyewitnesses at the scene said Iwal was among the workers engaged in the demolition when the section of the building collapsed.

Confirming the incident on Wednesday, the spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said operatives from the Otolo Divisional Headquarters responded to the scene after receiving the report.

Ikenga said the area was immediately cordoned off, while the scene was documented and preliminary investigations commenced.

He said the deceased was later identified as Iwal and his body was evacuated to a mortuary pending autopsy and other necessary examinations.

According to the police spokesperson, preliminary findings indicated that the building was being demolished when part of the structure suddenly collapsed, trapping one of the workers.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Nnanna Ama, has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident to establish the circumstances surrounding the collapse and determine whether anyone bears responsibility.

The police commissioner directed that appropriate action be taken based on the outcome of the investigation.

The command urged members of the public to remain calm and allow investigators to complete their work, adding that further updates would be provided as necessary.