Building Collapse: Abia government declares developer wanted

Abia State government has declared one Mr Emmanuel Ohaka, developer of the collapsed property located at 85, Azikiwe Road, Aba, wanted. This follows the discovery of an additional two corpses in the rubbles of the collapsed building as the search and rescue exercise continues.

The latest discovery brings to three the total number of persons feared dead in the unfortunate incident.

According to a statement released by the Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has directed the state Commissioner of Police to ensure the immediate arrest and prosecution of the developer and the site engineer, Mr Bassey Afokwalam, who is already in custody.

The Governor also directed the search and rescue team to continue work at the site to ensure that nobody remains trapped in the rubbles and called on the police and other security agencies to provide adequate security around the area for the continued seamless operation of the team.

The Governor expressed sadness over the needless loss of lives arising from the illegal development of the property which was being constructed without approval from relevant agencies and directed town planning authorities and the ministry of lands to go round the state and ensure that no building is being erected without the necessary approvals.

According to the Commissioner, one survivor was brought out of the rubbles alive while the other three, two females and one male, were pulled out lifeless.