Eight people are said to be fighting for their lives as a 20-story hotel building under construction in Asaba, Delta State, collapsed on Thursday evening.
The multibillion-naira hotel is directly across the street from Delta Mall in Asaba (Shoprite).
Chief Gabriel Ogbechie, the millionaire businessman and founder of Rain Oil Group, owns the building.
An eyewitness reported hearing a loud noise as workers were engaged in construction activity.
According to the eyewitness, Onyinye Okei, roughly eight people were injured and were transported to the hospital by their colleagues.
Mr. Michael Anoka, the State Commissioner for Urban Renewal, told reporters after inspecting the structure that the incident was caused by a building flaw.
Anoka, who stated there were no casualties, pointed out that
“The Ministry is still investigating. The government is already taking measures and as you can see, the compound has been sealed. After our investigation, we will come up with a report of what happened here today.
“Everybody should be calm; the government has already started measures before this incident today. We are trying to put up a process so that we will be able to avoid such situations.”
The scene of the incident has been cordoned off by officials of State Emergency Management Agency and security operatives.