•Only one person died –Police
By Emmanuel Nzomiwu / Correspondent, Awka
Five persons were feared dead yesterday, when a three-storey building under construction collapsed at Adazi Ani, Anaocha Local Government Area, Anambra State.
The tragic incident occurred in the early hours of Friday, according to Saturday Independent’s findings.
The victims were inside the building, which was nearing completion, when it collapsed.
It was reported that Onitsha-based transporter, Godwin Okeke, popularly known as G.U.O., was the owner of the building.
Rescue operations commenced shortly after the collapse and were ongoing as at the time this report was filed around 5pm.
It was difficult for newsmen to ascertain details of the incident and the exact casualty figure, as the owner of the property directed operatives of the community vigilance group, who wielded rifles, not to allow anybody to enter the compound.
The security men manhandled a reporter from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Peter Okolie, who attempted to enter the compound.
Okolie reportedly lost his mobile phone and other valuables in his encounter with the security men.
From a distance, bulldozers and other heavy-duty equipment were seen clearing the debris of the collapsed building.
Efforts to speak with Okeke yielded no fruits as at press time. However, the Police Public Relations Officer for Anambra State Command, Uche Ezeh, confirmed the report.
Ezeh said that only one man died in the incident.
The latest incident brings to four the number of buildings that have collapsed in Anambra this year.
