A landlord in Unity Estate, Alagbole-Akute in Ado-Odo/Otta Local Government Area of Ogun State narrowly escaped death on Tuesday afternoon when a telecommunications mast collapsed onto his residential building during a heavy thunderstorm.
The incident, which occurred around 2:39 p.m., was triggered by strong winds and torrential rainfall that accompanied the violent weather.
The mast, owned by IHS Company and situated in the Ajuwon area of Akute, was brought down by the force of the storm, crashing onto a nearby house and causing significant structural damage.
An eyewitness, Mr. Moses Olalere, promptly alerted authorities. His distress call to the Ogun State Police Command prompted a swift response from emergency personnel.
Confirming the incident in a statement released on Wednesday, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, CSP Omolola Odutola, described it as a natural disaster with a fortunate outcome.
“On June 3, 2025, at about 14:39 hrs, the Ogun State Police Command received a distress call from Mr. Moses Olalere reporting a natural disaster during a heavy downpour,” the statement read.
“According to his eyewitness account, a communication mast belonging to IHS Company, located in Ajuwon, Akute, Ogun State, collapsed due to the severe weather conditions. The mast fell on a residential building in Unity Estate, Alagbole.
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“Fortunately, the landlord, who was inside the house at the time of the incident, survived with minor bruises. He was promptly attended to by medical personnel and is confirmed to be in stable condition,” Odutola added.
In response, the Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, CP Lanre Ogunlowo, has ordered immediate public sensitization across the state. He also directed Area Commanders to liaise with telecommunication companies to review the structural stability of masts located in close proximity to homes.
“The CP has reportedly directed the Area Commanders to urgently engage with companies that own masts situated near residential areas to assess their structural integrity and ensure the safety of lives and property,” Odutola noted.
A preliminary investigation into the cause of the mast collapse has commenced, and authorities have assured residents that further updates will be provided as findings emerge.
