5 family members killed in Ilorin building collapse buried

5 family members killed in Ilorin building collapse buried

By Ola Taiwo

Remains of five people who died in the building collapse at Popo Giwa area of Ilorin, Kwara State, on Tuesday have been interred in accordance with Islamic rite.

The deceased who were members of the same family were buried at the Muslim Cemetery in Oko-Olowo area of Ilorin on Wednesday.

The people were alongside three others trapped in the rubbles of the collapsed storey building and were only retrieved dead while the three others rescued alive were said to be in critical condition at the hospital.

The interment of the deceased was witnessed by grieving relatives, friends and multitude of sympathisers in the town while the state governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq was represented at the occasion.

The Janazah prayer was led by renowned Islamic scholar and University of Ilorin lecturer, Prof. Abubakr Imam Ali-Agan who in his sermon after the prayer urged Muslims to remain steadfast in their faith and accept Allah’s will, particularly in moments of tragedy and grief.

Ali-Agan who described death as inevitable, encourgaged the bereaved family to draw strength from the teachings of Prophet Muhammad, which, he said, offered hope and consolation to families who lose loved ones in tragic circumstances.

“Muslims must have absolute faith in Allah and accept His will in every situation and under all circumstances,” he said.

The cleric called on the government to intensify public enlightenment campaigns on building safety and other measures that could help prevent disasters and minimise loss of lives.

He said there was need for greater awareness among residents on how to identify and respond to potential dangers associated with buildings and other environmental hazards.

Governor Abdulrazaq was represented at the funeral by Alhaji Abdulrazaq Jiddah.

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