A two-storey building under construction has collapsed in Umuoma community, Umuoji, in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, sparking panic among residents and passersby.
The structure, which was being developed into a hotel, reportedly began to give way on Monday evening after loud cracking sounds were heard from its walls. Moments later, the building partially collapsed while construction workers were still on site.
Eyewitnesses said more than 20 workers were on the second floor at the time of the incident but managed to escape by jumping down before the structure finally gave way. Fortunately, no deaths or injuries were recorded.
Residents of the area linked the collapse to heavy rainfall and the fast pace of construction, while others raised concerns about possible use of substandard materials. Some also alleged that blocks may have been laid on wet surfaces without adequate time to set, a practice often blamed for structural weakness during rainy seasons.
Officials from the Anambra State Urban and Town Planning Department later arrived at the scene and sealed off the building to prevent further risks. Preliminary assessments reportedly showed visible structural damage, with parts of the building still tilting dangerously.
The Anambra State Police Command spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident, adding that investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the collapse and whether proper building approvals were obtained.
Building collapse remains a recurring safety challenge in Nigeria, often linked to weak regulatory enforcement, use of inferior materials, and poor supervision of construction projects.