Three persons have died while five others have been rescued alive following the collapse of a two-storey commercial building in Owode Ede, Osun State.
The incident occurred late on Friday, 30 October 2026, at Zone 8, Oke Alaafia Community, trapping several people beneath the rubble.
The Federal Fire Service (FFS), Osun State Command, confirmed the casualties in a statement issued on Saturday, 31 October, disclosing that its personnel rescued five victims alive during an overnight search and rescue operation.
According to the statement signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSF Ojo Omoyemi Olamide, an emergency call was received at about 11.30 pm on Friday through the Command’s emergency line.
He said the service immediately deployed its Appliance FFS 141, which arrived at the scene three minutes after receiving the distress call. AIF Adeyemi served as the driver, while DSF Ogunremi led the rescue team.
The collapsed structure was identified as a two-storey commercial complex comprising six shops on the upper floor, another six on the middle floor and two stores on the ground floor.
The building, which reportedly measured approximately 50 metres by 100 metres, was being used for commercial activities before the incident.
The Federal Fire Service said preliminary investigations suggested that structural defects and the use of substandard building materials might have contributed to the collapse.
It added that the five survivors were rescued from the debris and taken to Idera Specialist Hospital, Ede, for urgent medical attention.
However, three other victims were recovered dead and handed over to operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, A Division, Ede.
The rescue operation involved personnel of the Federal Fire Service and the Osun State Fire Service, Ede Station, with support from the police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The police team was led by SP Bamidele, while NSCDC personnel from the Owode Ede Division were led by CSC Oyekunle.
The operation lasted several hours and was completed in the early hours of Saturday, with the rescue team returning to its station at about 9.26 am.
The Federal Fire Service estimated the value of property lost in the collapse at N100 million, while property worth approximately N150 million was reportedly saved during the operation.
The Command expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and urged residents, developers and building owners to comply strictly with approved construction standards.
It also called on members of the public to report emergencies promptly to the relevant authorities to ensure timely intervention and minimise further loss of lives and property.
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