The Enugu State Police Command has arrested a building owner after a concrete water reservoir collapsed and killed five members of the same family.
The incident happened at about 5 a.m. on September 18, at Umuike-Aja Village, Nenwenta Community in Awgu Local Government Area.
Police spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said the reservoir was attached to an uncompleted building and collapsed onto the adjoining house of a neighbour identified as Raphael Onwu.
Onwu, his wife, his mother and two of his children died in the incident. A 9-year-old boy was rescued alive from the rubble.
According to the police, operatives from Awgu Division, with support from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and community members, rushed to the scene, rescued the child and took him to hospital where he is receiving treatment.
The five deceased family members were recovered and taken to hospital where they were confirmed dead. Their remains have been deposited at the mortuary for preservation and autopsy.
The police identified the arrested building owner as Onyedikachi Nkwo Geoffrey.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Bitrus Giwa, has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident and urged residents and developers to comply with approved construction safety standards.
