At least five children have lost their lives, while another sustained injuries, following the collapse of a fence in the Bulumkutu area of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
The tragic incident occurred at about 8:00 p.m. on Sunday when the fence suddenly gave way and fell on six children who were reportedly within the vicinity at the time.
Residents in the area were thrown into panic as efforts were made to rescue the victims from the debris.
Information gathered by The News Chronicle revealed that five of the children died on the spot due to the impact of the collapse, while one child survived with injuries and was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention.
Confirming the incident to The News Chronicle on Monday, a local community leader, who requested anonymity, said the injured child is currently receiving treatment and responding to care. He also disclosed that relevant authorities have commenced investigations to ascertain the exact cause of the fence collapse.
According to him, preliminary concerns point to possible structural weakness, but a thorough assessment will be carried out to determine whether poor construction standards or environmental factors were responsible for the tragedy.
The community leader expressed deep sorrow over the incident and called on residents to take safety precautions seriously. He urged homeowners and builders to ensure that fences and other structures are properly constructed and regularly inspected to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
“We are appealing to members of the public to pay close attention to structural safety, adhere strictly to proper building standards, and ensure regular maintenance of their properties,” he said. “Parents and guardians should also closely monitor their children, especially in areas where there may be potential safety risks.”
The incident has once again raised concerns about building safety in residential areas, as residents mourn the loss of the young lives and call for stronger enforcement of construction regulations to avert further tragedies
