Hotel owner crushed to death as building collapses in Edo

A building collapse has killed a hotel owner, identified as Mr Andrew Isesere, in the Idumoza community of Uromi, located in Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State.

It was gathered that the building was still under construction before it collapsed.

Isesere, who was reportedly inside the building at the time, was trapped beneath the rubble. His body was recovered by emergency responders on Sunday morning.

Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, noting that more than 20 construction workers narrowly escaped with their lives. Several sustained varying degrees of injuries and were assisted by locals before medical aid arrived.

Preliminary accounts from neighbours and community members suggest that the collapse may have been caused by the use of inferior building materials and lack of professional oversight.

A local resident, Mr Andrew Inegbebor, claimed that the late owner personally managed the construction without engaging qualified engineers.

“He was advised several times about the quality of materials being used,” Inegbebor said. “Instead of 16mm rods, he used 12mm. The pillars didn’t even have base baskets. The whole structure was weak.”

The collapse, according to onlookers, was sudden and devastating. Many expressed sadness that Isesere, who had been warned about the structural concerns, died in the very building he oversaw.

Efforts to reach the Edo State Police Command for an official statement were unsuccessful as the Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, said he had not yet been briefed on the matter.

Hotel owner crushed to death as building collapses in Edo