BENIN CITY-Tragedy occurred when a wall erected to support water pipes of a commercial borehole collapsed and killed a nine-year-old girl in Benin City.

The sad incident occurred at 8, Osarehen Street, Off Powerline Road, Ogida Quarters, Benin City, about 6pm.

It was gathered that the victim, Choice Izevbaye, a primary three pupil, lost her father few years ago.

She was said to have been sent by her grandmother to buy water when the about four feet high wall collapsed on her as she bent to scoop water from a bowl.

Late Choice Izevbaye

Mother of the little child, Reginald Eseiwi, 35 said she was away when the unfortunate incident occurred.

She had gone to visit her mother at house number 4, Osarehen Street.

She accused the landlord and operator of the borehole, one Mr Osawe Edigin of negligence as the wall has been in bad condition for long.

The bereaved mother alleged that several complaints from residents of the need to rebuild the wall fell on deaf hears, as Mr Osawe made promises, instead.

She further appealed to the commissioner of police Mr Haliru Guandu, AIG Zone 5 Mr Adamu Abubakar and other relevant authorities to come to her aid as three of her family members have been detained by police.

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Reginald stated that their arrest followed allegation of malicious damage of property raised before the police by Mr Osawe Edigin.

Attempt to get the version of Mr Osawe Edigin failed as his building was deserted when our reporter visited last weekend.

the collapsed wall

A damaged black rubber bowl was seen under the rubles of collapsed wall in front of the house.

Some louver in the windows in the building were broken.

Contacted, the Public Relations Officer for Edo Police Command DSP Moses Nkombe confirmed the tragedy.

He said the landlord and the water seller Mr Osawe Edigin has been arrested and the police are investigating possible negligence that occasioned the death of the little child.

DSP Nkombe added that the police arrested three members of the bereaved family over allegation of malicious damage on the resident of Mr Osawe Edigin.

It was further learnt that the corpse of the child is still in a mortuary since the unfortunate incident on Saturday, June 10, 2017,