A two-storey residential building located along Prince Chinedu Akwuaka Street reportedly caved in on Tuesday, trapping two occupants, one of whom was later confirmed dead.
Confirming the incident on Friday in Onitsha, Mr Tony Nweze, the Chairman of Onitsha North Local Government Area, said that he had ordered the immediate cordoning off of the site to prevent further injuries.
Nweze said the collapse may not be an isolated incident, blaming possible regulatory breaches or construction malpractice in the area.
He pledged full investigation to determine the remote cause of the collapse, assuring prosecution of anyone found culpable.
Recounting his ordeal to the News Agency of Nigeria, a resident in the area, Mr Osinachi Chukwudi, explained that there was a heavy sound before another louder sound and the building collapsed on the occupants.
According to him, one of the surviving victims was rescued almost immediately and was rushed to the hospital for medical attention, while the other victim who was rescued later alive and taken to the hospital later died.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, could not be reached, as calls and messages sent to his phone were not answered nor returned.
