Five members of a family have died after a concrete water reservoir collapsed onto their home in Umuike-Aja Village, Nenwenta Community, Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State, prompting the state’s Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, to order a full investigation into the incident.
According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, the tragedy occurred at about 5:45 a.m. on September 18, 2026, when the reservoir attached to an unfinished building collapsed onto a neighbouring house belonging to Raphael Onwu. Onwu, his wife, his mother, and two of his children all lost their lives in the collapse.
Police operatives from the Awgu Division responded quickly to the scene, working alongside the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and members of the local community to carry out a rescue operation.
A nine-year-old boy was pulled from the rubble alive and rushed to hospital, where he is currently receiving treatment.
The bodies of the five deceased were recovered and taken to hospital, where they were confirmed dead. Their remains have since been deposited in the mortuary for preservation, pending autopsy.
In connection with the incident, police have arrested the owner of the building on which the reservoir was constructed, identified as Nkwo Onyedikachi Geoffrey.
The Commissioner of Police extended condolences to the bereaved family and the wider community, and gave assurances that appropriate action would be taken once investigations are concluded.
He also used the opportunity to caution the public against unsafe building practices, urging residents to comply with approved safety standards and to engage only qualified professionals in construction work.
