Police arrest site engineer over collapsed Abia building

The Police in Abia State have arrested the site engineer handling the uncompleted three-storey building that collapsed over the weekend in Umuahia.

The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, made this known while addressing journalists in Government House, Umuahia, on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting on Tuesday.

The SEC meeting, chaired by Governor Alex Otti, informed that, “Last week, an uncompleted three-storey detached bungalow building collapsed somewhere around the Low-Cost Housing area of Umuahia.

“Fortunately, there were no fatalities from the collapse. However, about three people were injured. And fortunately for them as well, the Honourable Commissioner for Health and his team were ready on hand to offer them first aid and later take them to hospital for more comprehensive treatment.

“The site Engineer has been arrested by the police and is currently helping the police in their investigations

Prince Kanu also informed that the road infrastructure revolution of the state government has continued unabated, despite the rainy season, stating that the road reconstruction activities are going on in 51 locations across the state, disclosing that out of the number, three were completed and five new ones were added to the basket during the past few weeks.

Contributing, the General Manager, Umuahia Capital Development Authority, Mr. Kingsley Agomuo, while noting that government would carry out a thorough investigation on the collapsed building further disclosed that the State Government would carry out integrity test on every building with two floors and above, pointing out that the integrity test is to ensure that citizens are fully protected in any building they live in.

The government has zero tolerance to professional misconduct, and government will do everything possible to ensure that the lives of the citizens in this state are protected. In addition, every building above two floors is going to be subjected to an integrity test. This is to assure every citizen that the places you are staying, you are fully protected, and such incidents will not reoccur going forward.

“Every new and already constructed will be subjected to an integrity test. If you are constructing a new one, it is believed that it has been properly supervised. Because this building in question started construction in 2007. Every building before now will be subjected to integrity test. New ones will definitely follow the building regulations and standards”, he said.

It would be recalled that early on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at about 2:45 to 3am, the three-storey building sank, injuring a 35-year-old woman, her five-year-old daughter, and a five-month-old newborn.