Panic as telecom mast collapses on building during downpour in Ogun

Tragedy was narrowly averted on Tuesday at Unity Estate, Alagbole-Akute in Ogun State, when a telecommunication mast collapsed onto a residential building during a heavy downpour, leaving the property badly damaged and the landlord injured.

According to reports, the landlord was inside the building when the mast came crashing down. He sustained minor injuries and was promptly attended to by medical personnel. Fortunately, his condition has been confirmed as stable.

The incident was confirmed by the spokesperson of the Ogun State Police Command, CSP Omolola Odutola, in a statement released on Wednesday. She revealed that the police received a distress call at about 2:39 p.m. on Tuesday from one Mr. Moses Olalere, alerting authorities about the fallen mast.

Odutola described the event as a natural disaster, adding that emergency responders had been mobilised to assess the damage and ensure safety in the area.

She said, “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.

“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.

“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.”

Responding to the incident, the Commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Ogunlowo, has issued a directive for heightened awareness and public sensitisation across the state to avert a recurrence of this accident.

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.

Preliminary investigation into the incident was said to have commenced, and members of the public will be notified of further development.