Owner And Contractor Face Charges Over Kano Building Collapse That Claimed Three Lives

The police command in Kano has launched an investigation into the circumstance that led to the avoidable death of three people.

Three labourers feared dead at the weekend when a building under construction collapsed in Kuntau, Gwale local government area of Kano state.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Kano territorial coordinator, Nurudeen Abdullahi, confirmed the tragedy, saying “three people died while two sustained injuries” when the two storey building collapsed.

It was gathered five persons were rescued and rushed to the hospital by officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

Police on Saturday arrested the owner of the building for alleged negligence and use of substandard building materials that led to the collapse and lost of precious lives.

The contractor handling the project has also been arrested.

The Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Gumel, said that if found guilty, they will be charged to court.

Gumel in a statement by police spokesman, Abdullahi Kiyawa said: “Interim police investigation shows lack of quality in the building texture and without the necessary approvals of the State Government.

“As a result, the property owner is currently under questioning for the crimes and violation of the extant laws and deliberate non compliance with building regulations.”

Kiyawa explained that on that Friday, at about 10am, the State Police Command’s emergency lines responded to the distress call on the pathetic incident of a two-storey building under construction at Kuntau area of Gwale local government area which collapsed and some workers got trapped.

“Consequently, the commissioner of police directed the immediate deployment of the commands tactical teams to secure the scene, rescue the victims, liaise with the relevant emergency workers, other security agencies personnel including Kano State Urban Planning and Development Authority (KNUPDA), to take full control.

“There was rapid response by the rescue teams and security teams that swung into action that led to recovery of five victims out of the debris who were rushed to Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital Kano.

“Unfortunately, three bodies were certified dead and two by the on-call pathologist while those with life-threatening injuries were admitted and are currently responding to treatment.

“The police command is at this juncture assuring the public that at the conclusion of its investigation, the property owner will be charged to court for prosecution for justice to be served.”