Three people have died after a two-storey commercial building collapsed in Owode-Ede, Ede North Local Government Area of Osun State.
The incident occurred at about 11.30pm on Friday in Zone 8, Oke Alaafia Community, where the building housed shops and stores.
The Nation learnt that a resident alerted a security operative and personnel of the Federal Fire Service, who were mobilised to carry out rescue operations.
A resident, identified as Juliet, said eight people were trapped inside the building when it collapsed but were later rescued by emergency responders.
However, the Public Relations Officer of the Federal Fire Service, Olamide Ojo, confirmed that five victims were rescued alive, while three others were recovered and suspected to be dead.
Ojo described the structure as a two-storey shopping complex used for commercial purposes, comprising six shops on the upper floor, six shops on the middle floor and two stores on the ground floor. It covered an estimated area of 50 metres by 100 metres.
She said preliminary investigations suggested that structural defects and the use of substandard building materials might have contributed to the collapse.
“During the rescue operation, five trapped victims were successfully rescued alive and evacuated to Idera Specialist Hospital, Ede, for urgent medical attention. Three victims were recovered, suspected dead, and handed over to the Nigeria Police Force, A Division, Ede,” she said.
Ojo added that the operation was carried out in collaboration with the Osun State Fire Service, Ede Station.
According to her, the search and rescue operation was completed, with emergency personnel returning to their station at about 9.26am on Saturday, 31 October 2026.
She put the estimated value of the property destroyed at ₦100 million, while property worth approximately ₦150 million was reportedly saved.
