Building Collapse in Umuahia Leaves Seven Injured, Prompts Investigation

Umuahia, Abia State — A three-storey building under construction collapsed in the early hours of Saturday, July 26, 2025, along Olokoro Road in the Federal Low-Cost Housing Estate, Umuahia, injuring seven people and severely damaging an adjacent residential bungalow.

The incident, which occurred at approximately 3:00 a.m., sent shockwaves through the community. Among the injured were a nursing mother and her five-month-old baby, who were rescued from the rubble and rushed to a nearby hospital. The names of the victims and the facility providing treatment have not been disclosed.

Eyewitnesses Point to Longstanding Structural Issues

Residents of the area reported that the building had shown clear signs of structural weakness. According to Ugwumba Shedrack, a local resident, “The building had been showing signs of collapse for a long time. Early this morning, we heard a loud noise around 3 a.m., and the structure came down. It’s rumored to belong to a politician who left it in that unsafe condition.”

The collapse also significantly damaged a nearby bungalow housing a family of seven, intensifying concerns about building integrity in the estate.

Authorities Respond, Premises Sealed Off

Kingsley Agomoh, General Manager of the Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA), visited the site hours after the incident. Speaking to the press, he expressed relief that no lives were lost and confirmed that the building site has been sealed off to prevent further risk.

“The owner of the building will face appropriate sanctions in line with regulatory standards,” Agomoh stated. He further disclosed that a full-scale investigation has been launched to uncover the cause of the collapse and to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Call for Stricter Construction Oversight

The building collapse has reignited concerns over construction standards, enforcement of building codes, and regulatory oversight in Umuahia and across Abia State. Community members are calling on government agencies to ensure that contractors adhere strictly to safety regulations, particularly in high-density residential areas.

Authorities are expected to release further updates as the investigation unfolds.