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Expert decries rising building collapses in Nigeria

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As Nigeria continues to witness frequent cases of building collapse, a University of Ibadan-trained structural engineer, Michael Odelola, has raised the alarm, warning that the crisis has gone beyond a technical problem.

According to a statement to The PUNCH, he said the spate of building collapses is now a national security issue.

“The truth is simple. If we get foundation design and connection detailing right, we will reduce failure. If we embrace advanced materials like ultra-high-performance concrete where appropriate, we will build structures that last longer and perform better under load, under weather, and under stress,” he said.

He advocated the use of UHPC to address the menace of building collapse, maintaining that UHPC is not normal block-and-cement concrete but a special type of concrete with very high strength, high durability, and better performance in tough conditions. “It helps engineers build bridges and foundations faster and safer. It is designed to solve the weaknesses we see in conventional concrete: durability, degradation, and long-term performance. UHPC can save a project,” he stated.

Odelola, who received a fully funded PhD offer from Florida International University, said UHPC may look costly at first, but he argued that the long-term savings of fewer failures, less maintenance, and faster delivery on site make it worth it, especially for public infrastructure.

“People like to say, ‘Nigeria is different. The same science we are using in Florida can be adapted to the Nigerian environment. My hope is to bring that knowledge back into our system through collaboration, training, or code development,” he said.

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His colleagues at FIU say his story should be studied by young Nigerian engineers who still believe serious research “is only for ‘oyinbo’.

“When you see a young Nigerian scholar doing work that is already influencing state-level standards, you start to understand: this is how nations develop. One engineer at a time,” they said.

At FIU, his main work is on pile splicing for deep foundations. Piles are long structural members driven deep into the ground to carry the load of bridges, piers and high-rise structures. Sometimes a single pile is not long enough, so contractors join two pile pieces together. That process is called splicing. If the splice is weak, the whole foundation can fail.

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PHOTOS: Police demote officer for unauthorised VIP escort duty

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The Nigeria Police Force has demoted a corporal to the rank of constable for engaging in unauthorised VIP escort duties, in violation of directives issued by the Inspector-General of Police and President Bola Tinubu.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the force disclosed that CPL Suleiman Musa (F/No: 517077), attached to 45 PMF, was found escorting a VIP without the required clearance. His action was deemed a breach of the strict enforcement measures put in place to end the indiscriminate deployment of police personnel for such assignments.

According to the statement, the disciplinary action serves as a warning to other officers and reinforces the need for full compliance with operational guidelines.

The force also noted that the incident raises questions about how the unauthorised assignment came about and whether the officer acted alone.

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PHOTOS: Father, son, three others d!e in Kano well collapse and fire incident

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Tragedy struck across three local government areas of Kano State as five people, including a 10-year-old girl, lost their lives in separate incidents involving a well collapse, a fall into a well, and a house fire.

The spokesperson of the Kano State Fire Service, Saminu Abdullahi, confirmed the incidents in a statement issued on Saturday, December 6, 2025.

The first incident occurred in Badume Kanawa Village, Bichi Local Government Area, where three people d!ed while attempting to re-dig a well.

According to Abdullahi, the rope supporting one of the victims, identified as Sa’idu Gada, 65, snapped while he was working inside the well.

In a desperate attempt to save him, his son, Sani Isyaku, 20, entered the well but also became trapped. A third man, Yakubu Abdullahi, 60, followed with the hope of rescuing both, but he too was unable to make it out.

Fire Service personnel rescued the trio in an unconscious state, but they were later confirmed d3ad.

Their remains were handed over to DSP Kabiru Iliyasu of the Badume Police Division.

In another incident in Danbatta Local Government Area, a 10-year-old boy, Hassan Iliyasu Haruna, fell into a well and d!ed before help could reach him.

The third tragedy occurred in Badawa Layin Day in Nassarawa Local Government Area, where a 10-year-old girl d!ed in a house fire on Thursday, December 4, 2025.

Fire Service officials said the blaze engulfed a section of a residential building, destroying two bedrooms. The girl was rescued unconscious but was later confirmed d3ad.

Speaking on the incidents, the Director of the Fire Service, Sani Anas, urged residents to avoid entering wells during emergencies, warning that such actions often result in additional casualties rather than successful rescues.

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He advised the public to immediately call emergency responders when accidents occur, stressing that trained personnel are better equipped to handle such situations safely.

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PHOTOS: Troops rescue 14 kidnapped victims in Benue forest

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Nigerian Army troops of Joint Task Force Sector One, Operation Udo Ka (OPUK), in collaboration with the Neighbourhood Watch, have rescued 14 kidnapped victims during a coordinated operation at Orokam Forest, a border area linking Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State and Ogbadigbo Local Government Area of Benue State.

The operation was conducted on Friday at about 1:30 p.m., following credible intelligence from locals indicating the presence of a suspected kidnappers’ hideout in the forest.

Troops deployed in Udenu LGA swiftly mobilised to the location alongside vigilante personnel of the Neighbourhood Watch.

While approaching the hideout, the criminals opened fire on the troops. The joint team responded with a high volume of fire, forcing the kidnappers to flee in disarray and abandon the kidnapped victims.

14 abducted persons, who were returning from a burial ceremony over the weekend before being kidnapped, were rescued unhurt.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the victims were abducted from two separate communities Ezimo Agu in Udenu LGA, Enugu State, and Orokam in Ogbadigbo LGA, Benue State.

The victims were subsequently handed over to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Udenu Division, for onward reunification with their families.

The troops expended 70 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition during the engagement and returned to base at about 7:21 p.m. without any incident.

Troops had intensified monitoring of the general area to deny criminal elements freedom of action.

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