A 25-year-old man, Bakeru Iwal, has died after part of an old building collapsed during demolition in Otolo-Nnewi, Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Iwal, who was reportedly one of the workers at the site, was inside the structure when a section suddenly collapsed on Tuesday, trapping him beneath the debris.

The incident was confirmed by the spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, in a statement on Wednesday.

Ikenga said police operatives attached to the Otolo Divisional Headquarters responded promptly after receiving the report, cordoned off the area and commenced preliminary investigations.

He said the scene had also been documented, while the body of the deceased was evacuated to a mortuary pending autopsy and other necessary examinations.

“Preliminary information indicates that the building was being demolished when a section of the structure suddenly collapsed, trapping one of the workers,” Ikenga said.

The Commissioner of Police in Anambra, CP Nnanna Ama, directed that the investigation be conducted professionally and thoroughly to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The police said the investigation would also determine whether any person bore responsibility for the collapse, with appropriate action to be taken based on its outcome.

The command urged members of the public to remain calm and allow the investigation to proceed, adding that further updates would be provided when necessary.