Abia Govt Orders Integrity Test on High-Rise Buildings After Umuahia Collapse; Site Engineer Arrested

The Abia State Police have arrested the site engineer responsible for the construction of a three-storey building that collapsed on Saturday in Umuahia. The structure, reportedly owned by a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was still under construction when it caved in, injuring three individuals.

Speaking to journalists in Umuahia, the state Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, confirmed the arrest and said the injured victims received first aid on-site from a medical team led by the Commissioner for Health before being transferred to a hospital for further treatment.

“Thankfully, no lives were lost,” Kanu stated. “Three individuals sustained injuries but received prompt medical attention. The site engineer has been apprehended and is cooperating with the police in their investigation.”

In response to the incident, the state government has announced a comprehensive integrity test on all buildings with more than two floors across the state. The General Manager of the Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA), Mr. Kingsley Agomuo, emphasized that the move aims to protect the lives of residents and prevent future occurrences.

“Every building—new or existing—with two or more floors will undergo a structural integrity assessment,” Agomuo explained. “This particular building began construction as far back as 2007. We are committed to enforcing building standards and ensuring that developers comply with safety regulations.”

The government reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on professional negligence and vowed to hold accountable anyone found compromising building safety standards.