PRESS RELEASE
KWARA FIRE SERVICE LEADS HEROIC RESCUE OPERATION AS BUILDING COLLAPSE CLAIMS FOUR LIVES AT POPO-GIWA, ILORIN
The Kwara State Fire Service today demonstrated exceptional courage, professionalism and commitment to saving lives when it responded to a building collapse incident at Masalasi Gogoro, Popo-Giwa/Abemi Area, Ilorin West Local Government Area, at about 05:08hrs.
The collapsed structure, located adjacent to Masalasi Gogoro, was a two-storey building comprising approximately 26 rooms. During the incident, eight rooms collapsed, trapping eight victims beneath the debris.
Upon arrival, the men of the Kwara State Fire Service immediately commenced a painstaking search-and-rescue operation, working under extremely challenging conditions to locate and evacuate those trapped beneath the collapsed structure.
Through the determination, bravery and professional expertise of the firefighters, four victims were successfully rescued alive, while four others were recovered and suspected to be deceased.
The victims involved were:
• Muhammed Bolakale – 55 years
• Fasilat – 53 years
• Mistura – 28 years
• Barakat – 26 years
• Zainab – 23 years
• Hajia – 15 years
• Muqtar – 7 years
• Fridaos – 10 years
From the professional assessment carried out at the scene, the structure was observed to be unsafe and unfit for habitation, as the building appeared unable to withstand the pressure exerted on its structural components.
The Federal Fire Service, Kwara State Command, worked side-by-side with the Kwara State Fire Service throughout the rescue operation. This collaboration significantly strengthened the operational capacity of the responding firefighters and contributed to the swift rescue of victims.
Following the activation of the emergency response chain, several sister agencies arrived at the scene to support the operation. They included the NSCDC Disaster Management Department, Emergency Ambulance Services, Hospital Management Bureau, SEMA, NEMA, KWARTMA, Nigeria Police Force, Life Glide Ambulance, Nigerian Red Cross Society and the Ministry of Environment.
Notably, Life Glide Ambulance, which recently established a collaboration with the Kwara State Fire Service for emergency response operations, also provided support at the scene.
Two excavators were deployed to assist in the careful removal of debris and facilitate access to areas where victims were believed to be trapped.
The coordinated efforts of all responding agencies created an effective operational environment for the firefighters to carry out the rescue mission. However, the Kwara State Fire Service remained at the forefront of the search-and-rescue operation, with its personnel displaying remarkable courage and determination throughout the exercise.
Present at the scene were the Chief Fire Officer of the Kwara State Fire Service, CFO Alabi Muhammed; Controller, Federal Fire Service, Kwara State Command; Commissioner of Police, Kwara State; Special Adviser on Special Duties; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health; and the Chairman, Ilorin West Local Government, among other government officials and emergency responders.
The Chief Fire Officer, CFO Alabi Muhammed, commended the officers and men of the Kwara State Fire Service for their heroic performance, resilience and professionalism in the face of a highly challenging rescue operation. He also appreciated the Federal Fire Service and all sister agencies for their timely intervention and cooperation.
The Kwara State Fire Service further urges members of the public to report visible signs of structural weakness, cracks or other conditions that may indicate that a building is unsafe, while property owners are encouraged to ensure that buildings are properly assessed and maintained by qualified professionals.
Today’s operation once again demonstrates the unwavering commitment of the Kwara State Fire Service to its primary responsibility of saving lives and protecting property, even in the most difficult circumstances.
Kwara State Fire Service, Always Ready to Save Lives and Protect Property.
Signed
PFO Hassan Hakeem Adekunle, MBA
PRO / Head Media unit
Kwara State Fire Service
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