A woman and her 14-year-old daughter have died after a three-storey building under construction collapsed on a neighbouring boys’ quarters in Okpoko, Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The victims, identified as Mrs Happiness Ugoagu and her daughter, Confidence, were sleeping inside the boys’ quarters when the building collapsed amid heavy rainfall on Thursday morning.
The incident occurred at No. 11 Emeka Ugwuanyi Street, near Anabanaba, Okpoko, triggering rescue efforts by residents and emergency management officials.
The deceased, who were indigenes of Uga in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, became trapped beneath the rubble after the neighbouring structure fell on their accommodation.
Their bodies were recovered after several hours of rescue operations involving residents, sympathisers and emergency responders.
Emergency Agencies Join Rescue Operation
The Coordinator of the Local Emergency Management Agency and an indigene of Ogbaru, Nnamdi Esmai, said rescue efforts were intensified to locate those trapped beneath the debris.
The Administration Officer of the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency, Ndidi Omega, confirmed that an excavator had been deployed to the scene to assist in clearing the rubble.
The National Emergency Management Agency also joined the operation. Its Head of Operations at the Enugu Operations Office, Priscilla Madukwe, confirmed that a team had been dispatched to support the response.
The rescue operation was supervised by the Mayor of Ogbaru Local Government Area, Nnamdi Ifejika.
Following the recovery of the bodies, the remains of the mother and daughter were evacuated to a morgue. Responders and residents continued clearing the debris and securing the affected area.
Lawmaker Mourns Victims
The member representing Ogbaru State Constituency I in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Noble Igwe, expressed sympathy with the bereaved family.
He described the incident as unfortunate and devastating.
As of the time of filing this report, authorities had not established the cause of the building collapse.
