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‘How I Lost My Pregnant Wife, Children in Lagos Building Collapse — And My Parents to Herdsmen in Benue’

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By Fabian Apechihin

46-year-old businessman, Emmanuel Otache, shares his heartbreaking story with Grace Edema


“I woke up seven months later to learn my wife and children were gone.”

It happened on October 12, 2019, in Magodo, Isheri, Lagos. A building behind my apartment suddenly collapsed into my home, killing my pregnant wife and our three children.

That evening, I had just returned from a business trip. My wife was feeding the children while I rested in the sitting room. Then I heard a loud sound—like thunder. Before I could even react, everything came crashing down.

I don’t remember what happened afterward. The next thing I recall was waking up seven months later in the hospital, wrapped in bandages. That was when I was told my wife and children didn’t survive.


“It felt like dying while still alive.”

When I regained consciousness and heard the news, I couldn’t speak for days. I didn’t believe it until I saw their pictures. I had lost everything—my family, my home, my business. Life stopped for me that day.


“Doctors fixed an iron rod from my waist to my knees.”

My legs and waist were badly crushed in the collapse. At LASUTH, Ikeja, doctors inserted an iron rod from my waist to my knees so that I could stand and walk again.

They told me it should be removed within two to three years, but I couldn’t afford it. The procedure was estimated to cost about ₦15 million, and I’ve been living with the pain ever since.


“After losing my family, I lost my parents to herdsmen.”

After the collapse, I left Lagos and returned to my village, Opaha, in Benue State, to start afresh. But tragedy struck again in April 2023 when herdsmen attacked our community, killing 95 people, including my father, mother, uncles, and four siblings.

The attack started around 3 p.m. and lasted until 11 p.m. One of my uncles hid me under a tarpaulin in the kitchen. The gunmen shot and burned houses until late in the night.

When soldiers and police arrived around 4 a.m., they thought I was dead. I was taken to a hospital, where I later regained consciousness.


“Everything I had was wiped out again.”

In May 2025, there was another attack that destroyed what remained of our family home. By then, I had already returned to Lagos through AKC Transport, hoping to raise money for my surgery and rebuild my life.

Now, I live with a friend in Adamo Elias, Ikorodu. He used to ride an okada but now works as a security guard. Life has been tough for both of us.


“I can’t work; I live on help from friends and neighbours.”

Because of the iron in my body, I use two crutches and can’t stand for long. I depend on my friend and kind neighbours for food. Some days, I go without eating.

I still visit pharmacies for painkillers when I can afford them, but the pain is constant.


“Government has not helped me.”

I wrote letters to the Kosofe Local Government, the Governor of Lagos State, and the Governor of Benue State, but I never got any response. I have been struggling on my own since the tragedy.


“All I ask is a chance to live again.”

What I need most now is help to remove the iron rod in my body and support to restart my phone accessories business. I am not lazy — I just want a chance to live a normal life again.

“I have lost my wife, my children, my parents, and my home. All I ask is for help — from the government, churches, NGOs, or kind Nigerians — so I can start over.”


“My faith keeps me going.”

Despite everything, I still believe in God. I’ve seen death and survived it multiple times. That’s what gives me hope that one day, someone will hear my story and help me live again.


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National Trail Mourns Pioneer Editor, Abdulazeez Suleiman

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Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilaihir-Raji’un.

The Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of , Hon. Inuwa Bwala, on behalf of the management and staff, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of veteran journalist and pioneer editor of the newspaper, Abdulazeez Suleiman.
Bwala also extended condolences to Suleiman’s family, associates and the Nigerian media industry, describing his passing as a monumental loss at a time his experience, courage and service to the nation were still greatly needed.
Suleiman reportedly died shortly before a scheduled surgery.
A pioneer editor of National Trail Newspaper, Abdulazeez Suleiman was regarded as a thoroughbred journalist with a remarkable talent for breaking exclusive stories and shaping public discourse through responsible journalism.
Throughout his distinguished career, he worked with notable media organisations, including National Trail Newspaper, Daily Trust, Summit and The Road. He earned widespread admiration for fearless reporting, ethical conduct and unwavering commitment to professionalism.
His writings and public interventions consistently reflected deep concern for justice, peace, accountability and national unity.

Beyond journalism, Suleiman was widely respected as a bridge-builder who strongly believed in dialogue, mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence among Nigeria’s diverse peoples. He remained steadfast in his conviction that truth and justice are essential pillars for national progress.

Though his voice has now gone silent, the values and ideals he stood for will continue to inspire generations. His legacy as a principled journalist, advocate and patriot will endure in the hearts of many whose lives he touched through his work and humanity.
The management and staff of National Trail Newspaper prayed Almighty Allah to forgive his shortcomings, grant him Aljannatul Firdaus and comfort his family, friends, colleagues and members of the in this moment of grief.
Rest in peace, Abdulazeez Suleiman. Your service and legacy will not be forgotten.

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JUST IN: After Primary Election Victory, Shehu Sani Visits Parents’ Graves to Offer Prayers and Express Gratitude to God

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Following his victory in the party primary election, Senator Shehu Sani visited the graves of his parents to pray and give thanks to Almighty God.

The former senator described the visit as very important to him, noting that his parents played a significant role in his upbringing and in shaping his political life.

Shehu Sani prayed for Allah to forgive his parents and all deceased Muslims, while also reaffirming his commitment to continue serving the people with honesty and integrity after securing victory in the primaries.

The gesture has attracted attention from his supporters and social media users, many of whom praised his act of remembering his parents after a political success.

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Uncategorized

National Trail Mourns Pioneer Editor, Abdulazeez Suleiman

Published

on

Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilaihir-Raji’un.

The Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of , Hon. Inuwa Bwala, on behalf of the management and staff, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of veteran journalist and pioneer editor of the newspaper, Abdulazeez Suleiman.
Bwala also extended condolences to Suleiman’s family, associates and the Nigerian media industry, describing his passing as a monumental loss at a time his experience, courage and service to the nation were still greatly needed.
Suleiman reportedly died shortly before a scheduled surgery.
A pioneer editor of National Trail Newspaper, Abdulazeez Suleiman was regarded as a thoroughbred journalist with a remarkable talent for breaking exclusive stories and shaping public discourse through responsible journalism.
Throughout his distinguished career, he worked with notable media organisations, including National Trail Newspaper, Daily Trust, Summit and The Road. He earned widespread admiration for fearless reporting, ethical conduct and unwavering commitment to professionalism.
His writings and public interventions consistently reflected deep concern for justice, peace, accountability and national unity.

Beyond journalism, Suleiman was widely respected as a bridge-builder who strongly believed in dialogue, mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence among Nigeria’s diverse peoples. He remained steadfast in his conviction that truth and justice are essential pillars for national progress.

Though his voice has now gone silent, the values and ideals he stood for will continue to inspire generations. His legacy as a principled journalist, advocate and patriot will endure in the hearts of many whose lives he touched through his work and humanity.
The management and staff of National Trail Newspaper prayed Almighty Allah to forgive his shortcomings, grant him Aljannatul Firdaus and comfort his family, friends, colleagues and members of the in this moment of grief.
Rest in peace, Abdulazeez Suleiman. Your service and legacy will not be forgotten.

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