A 30-year-old Nigerian woman, identified as Cynthia Oguzie, lost her life in a tragic accident after a water tank fell on her when the ceiling of her apartment collapsed.
According to a video obtained by Drivetvnews, the victim was seen lying unresponsive on her bed, although a woman present was heard saying she was still breathing at the time. Another video captured the scene showing the collapsed water tank and the damaged structure, while other images showed Oguzie’s body, believed to have been taken to a hospital.
Reports revealed that Oguzie had only been living in the apartment, located in Lekki, Lagos, for about two months before the unfortunate incident occurred.
Her brother, Chukwuebuka Nathaniel, shared the sad news on his Facebook page. He blamed the incident on poor construction standards, alleging that the water tank stand was built with substandard materials.
“People should be very careful with buildings in Lekki and the way their water tanks are constructed. This is what led to my sister’s untimely death. Thank you to the landlord and the engineer for building this kind of water stand,” he wrote.
Nathaniel further explained that the landlord claimed to be out of the country and said the construction work was handled by the engineer, who had sent him photos and videos of the project.
As of the time of reporting, the Lagos State Police Command had not released an official statement regarding the incident, although videos and photos from the scene have gone viral across social media platforms.
A funeral notice circulating online indicates that Oguzie’s burial ceremony is scheduled to take place on Friday, April 25.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, Chief Superintendent of Police Benjamin Hundeyin, told PUNCH Metro that the incident might not have been reported to them yet.
The tragic event sparked anger and sorrow online, with many Nigerians condemning the developers over alleged negligence and the use of inferior materials in the construction of buildings.
A Facebook user, Felix Amehnawon, commented, “Many engineers refuse to undergo the necessary professional training — most of them are not certified by COREN.”
Another user, Amaka Duru, wrote, “What a heartbreaking way to die. May her soul rest in peace.”
Benedict Chinonso pointed out that construction materials should be chosen carefully, especially in areas with salty water that corrodes pipes over time. He said, “Unfortunately, some builders cut costs by using cheap materials just to maximize profits. I hope justice is served in this case.”
Another user, Charles Newton, added, “Whoever was responsible for constructing that substandard tank stand should have been arrested by now.”
Ochuba Collins advised property owners to always be involved in the construction process, saying, “This is why you should work closely with your engineer, especially during the finishing stages of your building. This is so painful. May she rest in peace.”
Chisom Nwankwo also stated, “Sometimes landlords pay for original building materials, but some workers end up buying fake ones to make extra money for themselves.”
As of Tuesday evening, there was still no official statement from the Lagos State Government regarding the incident.
