CITIZENS COMPASS —Tragedy struck in Rivers State when the staircase of an abandoned three-storey building reportedly caved in and trapped a scavenger to death. 

The incident reportedly occurred on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, at 38 Elechi Street, Mile 3, Diobu Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
It was gathered that he abandoned building has been overtaken by weeds while its walls have cracked.
Chief Security Officer (CSO) of Nkpolu Oroworukwo Mile 3 Diobu, Port Harcourt, Mr. Godstime Ihunwo alerted newsmen about the incident. 

The CSO said he received information at about 6:15p. m. on the fateful day that some hoodlums went inside the abandoned building to smoke hard drugs.
Mr. Ihunwo, who is also a member of Diobu Vigilance Service, disclosed that based on previous complaints from residents on the use of the abandoned building as a smoking joint by hoodlums, he mobilized his men to the scene and on getting to the area the hoodlums had left.
He stated that while searching for the hoodlums in the abandoned building, they saw a male corpse and after close examination, it was discovered that the staircase of the storey building had collapsed on the man whose identity could not be ascertained.

However, he said the corpse was suspended to be that of a scavenger.

Ihunwo revealed that they raised the alarm that drew the attention of residents of the area,who came to the scene and they informed the Nkpolu Divisional Police Headquarters Mile 3 Diobu, about the incident.

He said : “At about 6:15pm, I received information that some boys went into an abandoned one storey building at No. 38 Elechi Street, Mile 3 Diobu, Port Harcourt, where hoodlums usually go and smoke hard drugs.
“So, based on previous complaints by residents of the street, on activities of hoodlums using the abandoned one storey building as a smoking joint, I mobilized my men to the scene.

“On getting there, the hoodlums had fled. “While we were conducting a search for the hoodlums, we saw a lifeless body, whose identity is yet to be known.

” On a closer examination, it was discovered that the deceased was a male.

“We also observed that the staircase of the abandoned building had collapsed on the deceased. “We raised the alarm, which attracted the attention of residents of the area who came to the scene.”

“We quickly informed the Nkpolu Police Divisional headquarters.”

At press time, the corpse had been evacuated and deposited at the morgue.