2 Children Rescued From Collapsed Building In Ilorin

Two children were rescued on Thursday after a two-storey residential building collapsed in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, sparking emergency response efforts and renewed concerns over structural safety.

The incident occurred around 9:10 a.m. on Ajegunle Street, off Sabo-Line in the Isale area, involving a six-flat building.

According to a statement by the spokesperson of the Kwara State Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle, the two children—Ahmad, 8, and Hussainat, 10—were initially trapped under the rubble but were rescued and taken to a nearby hospital before firefighters arrived.

Emergency responders later carried out salvage operations at the scene, recovering valuables such as clothing, electronics, food items, and important documents from parts of the building that were still accessible.

Following an on-site assessment, the Fire Service raised alarm over the safety of surrounding structures. It advised the Disaster Management Department of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to seal off the collapsed building and issue a seven-day evacuation notice to residents of a neighbouring structure deemed unsafe for habitation.

The NSCDC Disaster Management unit acted promptly, sealing the affected building and enforcing the evacuation order on the nearby property.

Authorities also revealed that concerns had previously been raised about the building’s deteriorating condition. The caretaker had reportedly been warned prior to the collapse.

Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Alabi Muhammed, who was present at the scene, urged property owners and residents to prioritise regular structural checks and pay attention to warning signs such as cracks and visible weaknesses.

He emphasised that timely intervention could prevent avoidable disasters and reiterated the agency’s commitment to protecting lives and property.