The Abia State Police Command has arrested the site engineer responsible for the uncompleted three-storey building that collapsed in Umuahia over the weekend. The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this while addressing journalists in Government House, Umuahia. According to Kanu, the police are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the collapse, which fortunately did not result in any fatalities, although three people were injured.
The collapsed building, which started construction in 2007, has raised concerns about building standards and safety in the state. The General Manager, Umuahia Capital Development Authority, Mr. Kingsley Agomuo, stated that the state government would conduct integrity tests on every building with two floors and above to ensure citizens’ safety. Agomuo emphasized that the government has zero tolerance for professional misconduct and would do everything possible to protect citizens’ lives.
The building collapse occurred on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at around 2:45 to 3 am, injuring a 35-year-old woman, her five-year-old daughter, and a five-month-old newborn. The swift response of the Commissioner for Health and his team ensured that the injured received prompt medical attention. The incident has sparked concerns about the safety of buildings in the state, and the government’s response aims to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The state government has assured citizens that it will carry out thorough investigations into the collapse and take necessary actions to prevent such incidents. The government has also disclosed that road infrastructure development is ongoing in 51 locations across the state, with three completed and five new projects added in recent weeks. The government’s commitment to infrastructure development and citizen safety is evident in its swift response to the building collapse.
The integrity test on buildings with two floors and above is a proactive measure to ensure citizens’ safety and prevent future incidents. The government’s stance on professional misconduct and building safety standards will likely restore confidence in the construction industry and assure citizens of their safety.
