The fence of one Covenant Point Academy located at Ajose Street, in the Amukoko area of Lagos State has collapsed killing at least two children.
The victims were later identified as Samat Saheed (male) and another 9-year-old girl.
It was gathered that the nine-year-old girl was walking past the front of the school when the fence collapsed suddenly on them.
Samat died on the spot after the fence crushed his head while the nine-year-old girl lost consciousness and reportedly died shortly after the incident.
According to an eyewitness, Ganiyu Ayeloja, the owner of the school was arrested after some concerned residents called their attention to the incident.
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Ayeloja said, “The police came around and they arrested the owner of the school building. The building has no pillars, they just stacked blocks. The building was not well structured at all; there was no wiring, no pillar, and nothing to hold the building together that’s why it fell easily.
“It is unfortunate that the two children were around that area when it collapsed. One of the children’s parents had a shop close to the school building, that was why he was there and his parents were immediately alerted.
“The Oba of Ijora land was called to the incident yesterday and everyone is sympathising with the deceased families. People from the Lagos State Building Control Agency came to inspect the building this morning (Sunday).”
Also, another resident, Akinniyi Akinwale, said the nine-year-old girl was running errands when the tragic incident befell her, adding that when she didn’t return home, her parents started searching for her but were informed that the fence of the building claimed her life.
“The wall in front of the school just fell on both of them. The girl who died was sent on an errand to that street, so no one knew her parents there but she was taken to the hospital after the incident and it wasn’t until night time when her parents started looking for her that they were informed of her death.”
Samat was buried immediately after the incident, another witness disclosed.
Meanwhile, the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident.
He said, “Two children died, the owner of the building has been arrested.”
Former president of the Nigerian Institute of Building, Kunle Awobodu while reacting to the ugly incident said blocks used to construct buildings nowadays were very weak and substandard as he urged building owners, developers, among others to desist from using substandard materials.
“This is quite unfortunate. Those of us in the construction industry have laid emphasis on the threat of natural force or pressure on buildings, to withstand such natural pressure especially in an area that is exposed to strong winds, there is a need to introduce columns.
“Pillars are referred to as reinforced columns to enable fences to withstand the natural force being generated by the wind. Constructing coping is necessary on top of these fences so that persistent rainfall does not have an extreme impact on the stability of the fence.
“Many of the blocks used to construct buildings nowadays are very weak and substandard; they are usually six inches and 150mm in thickness which is unable to withstand wind pressure that makes it important for all of us to be more vigilant.”
Awobodu said the tragedy that claimed the lives of the minors was a clarion call to everyone not to underestimate the standard required for a fence, and to shun using substandard materials when building.
“What has happened shows that the stability of the fence is crucial to avoid calamities of this nature. This is not the first time a fence has collapsed and taken lives, so urgent attention should be drawn to it.
“It’s a warning for landlords, developers and building owners to construct fences that will adequately protect the occupants and property,” Awobodu said.
Meanwhile, a similar event occured on August 21, 2022, two children died in a building collapse at Adeleye Street, Lady Lark, Bariga area of the state.
Also, on September 5, 2022, a seven-storey building under construction collapsed at Oba Idowu Oniru Street, in the Lekki area of the state and killed six persons.