01/09/2026
PRESS RELEASE
1st September, 2026
FFS KWARA COMMAND UNDERTAKES SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATION FOLLOWING BUILDING COLLAPSE IN ILORIN
The Federal Fire Service (FFS), Kwara State Command, has responded to a distress call involving the collapse of a three-storey residential building at Oyan Compound, Masalasi Gogoro, Abemi Area, Ilorin, in the early hours of Tuesday, 1st September, 2026.
The distress call was received at approximately 0545hrs, following which the Command promptly mobilised an FFS rescue crew to the scene. The team, under the command of DSF Abdulkareem, arrived at approximately 0605hrs and immediately commenced rescue operations.
Preliminary assessment at the scene revealed that the Boys' Quarter section of the three-storey residential building collapsed while the occupants were asleep, trapping eight (8) members of the same family beneath the debris. The building, reportedly belonging to the family of Alhaji Muhammed Bolakale, comprises 26 rooms and covers an estimated area of 50ft by 100ft.
The rescue operation was conducted in collaboration with other relevant emergency response agencies, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Kwara State Emergency Management Agency (KWASEMA), Kwara State Fire SERVICE, the Nigeria Police FORCE and other emergency services. Through sustained and coordinated rescue efforts, four (4) victims were rescued alive, while four (4) suspected fatalities were recovered from the collapsed structure.
The State Controller, Federal Fire Service, Kwara State Command, DCF Ibrahim Sharafadeen Adisa, commiserates with the families of the deceased and wishes the rescued victims a speedy recovery. He also commends the personnel of the Federal Fire Service and other responding agencies for their professionalism, cooperation and sustained efforts throughout the rescue operation.
The Command therefore urges members of the public to promptly report building emergencies, structural defects or other signs of imminent danger to the appropriate emergency response agencies. Timely reporting remains essential to effective emergency response, rescue operations and the preservation of lives and property.
Signed:
DSF Modibbo Ibrahim, ANIPR
PRO, Federal Fire Service
Kwara State Command