MICHAEL AKINOLA
Tragedy struck over the weekend at Egbe area of Ikotun, Lagos, after a water tank fell from its stand through the roofing of the house, killed a 20-year old man, Jamal Nureni and seriously injured three other victims while they were asleep in the early hours of the morning.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the ugly incident happened on Saturday morning at No. 20, Alhaji Kazeem Street, Hostel Bus Stop in Egbe area of Egbe-Idimu LCDA in Alimosho Local Government area of the State.
The deceased grand mother, Alhaja Yemisi Odejimi, narrated that Nureni was sleeping in a room with four other victims when the tank fell down on them inside their room.
“I just woke up to take my bath when suddenly I heard a loud sound and a noise coming from behind. I quickly put on my clothes and ran out. Getting to the place, I realized that a water tank fell from the other compound into my son’s room. One of them was electrocuted and the other sustained injury; they were all taken to the General Hospital, where Jamal was confirmed dead” she said.
However, one of the people inside the room was lucky because he woke up early and went out to observe his early morning prayers as a Muslim and was not injured.
They were rushed to the hospital, where the doctor confirmed Nureni dead and his corpse was deposited at mortuary for autopsy reports while other victims were still receiving treatment at the hospital.
The matter has been reported to the Police at Ikotun Division, who moved into action and arrested the landlord, identified as Mr. O.B. Taiwo, who allegedly described what happened as mere accident that he will be resolved with the victim’s family.
However, the Police have commenced investigation over the matter on the culpability of the landlord for negligence and he may likely be charged for manslaughter.
According to the residents, who spoke to P.M.EXPRESS, the landlord abandoned the stand for a long time without any maintenance and the iron stand holding the tank got rusted, which resulted in the collapse of the stand that eventually killed the late Nureni.
When our correspondent visited Ikotun Police Division, he did not meet the DPO, who was said to have gone for routine monitoring in the area.
But it was gathered that the family was told not to bury the corpse until further directives from the DPO pending the outcome of the preliminary investigation by the Police.
A source stated that the matter may likely be transferred to SCID, Yaba, for further investigation because it involved death, which SCID Yaba has the jurisdiction.