A 25-year-old labourer, Bakeru Iwal, has died after an old building collapsed during demolition in Otolo-Nnewi, Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra State. The incident occurred on Tuesday, 29 September 2026. The victim was trapped inside the structure when it caved in.
Building collapses are a recurring problem in Nigeria. In 2014, a guesthouse at the Synagogue Church of All Nations in Lagos collapsed, killing 115 people. In 2019, a school building in Meiran, Lagos, trapped children. In 2022, a two-storey building collapsed in Anambra. The causes are consistent: substandard materials, skipped inspections and weak enforcement. Demolition sites are particularly dangerous. Contractors cut corners. Safety protocols are ignored.
The Anambra State Police spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident. He said police operatives responded promptly, cordoned off the area and commenced preliminary investigations. The deceased’s body was deposited in the mortuary for autopsy and further examination. The Commissioner of Police, Nnanna Ama, ordered a thorough investigation to establish the circumstances and identify responsible parties.
The building was being demolished when a section suddenly collapsed, trapping the worker. The police have not announced arrests. The investigation will determine whether safety standards were breached.
Winners: No winners. The police may gain a case. Contractors may face scrutiny. Losers: Bakeru Iwal, who lost his life. His family. Workers at the site. The state, whose enforcement failures are exposed.
Bottom Line: A 25-year-old worker died during demolition. He was trapped when the building caved in. Police are investigating. Demolition is dangerous work in Nigeria. Safety standards must be enforced.