Rivers scavenger dies in abandoned building’s collapsed staircase

A man believed to be a scavenger was found dead after the staircase of an abandoned one-story building reportedly collapsed on him at Elechi Street in the Mile 3 area of Diobu in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

The one-story building had been overrun by weeds, and its walls were cracked, according to observations by our correspondent who visited the area.

Godstime Ihunwo, the Chief Security Officer of Nkpolu Oroworukwo Mile 3 Diobu, said he received information around 6:15 pm on Wednesday that some hoodlums had been spotted in the building, smoking substances suspected to be hard drugs.

Ihunwo, who is also a member of a vigilante group in the area (Diobu), mobilized his men to the scene. However, upon their arrival, the hoodlums had already left.

The group, known as Diobu Vigilante Service, had been previously alerted to the activities of miscreants who had turned the building into a smoking point.

According to Ihunwo, “Based on fresh complaints by residents of 38 Elechi Streets, Mile 3 Diobu, Port Harcourt, where hoodlums usually go to smoke hard drugs, I quickly mobilized my men to the scene.

On arrival, the hoodlums had already left the abandoned building, but during our search for them, we discovered the lifeless body of a man.”

“We also observed that the staircase of the abandoned one-storey building collapsed on the deceased. We quickly raised the alarm which drew the attention of residents of the area who came to the scene.

“And we quickly informed the Nkpolu Divisional Police headquarters in Mile 3 Diobu, on the development.”

It was gathered that the police had visited the scene of the incident on Wednesday afternoon.

When contacted, spokesperson for the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the death, saying investigation was ongoing.

Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police,  said, “I don’t know of hoodlums were using the place. What I am told is that the man that died was a scavenger.

“It is like he was trying to remove rods from the staircase when it collapsed on him. His corpse has been deposited in the mortuary and investigation is ongoing.”.