The family of Chizoba Oguzie, a young mother of two who tragically lost her life when a water tank collapsed through the roof of her apartment in the Chevron area of Lagos, has expressed deep grief and frustration over the alleged exploitation they faced at the hands of law enforcement and medical personnel following the incident. Speaking from the United States, Amarachi Oguzie, Chizoba’s elder brother, recounted the devastating series of events that unfolded after his sister’s sudden death on March 18, 2025.
Chizoba, who had recently returned from Dubai to start a new life in Lagos, was resting in her apartment when the water tank fell, striking her directly and killing her instantly. The apartment was sublet to her by a woman named Favour Nnanna, who had initially rented it from the property owner. However, efforts to contact the actual landlady have been met with confusion and denial, with the family feeling ignored and disrespected by the property’s management.
Amarachi expressed her anguish over the lack of empathy from the property owners, stating, “If someone loses their life in your house, the least you can do is reach out to the family. The fact that no one from the ownership of the property has stepped forward is appalling.” She emphasized that if her sister had been involved in any wrongdoing, the owners would have been quick to respond, but now that she is deceased, they seem indifferent.
The situation worsened when the hospital where Chizoba was taken demanded N250,000 before releasing her body, citing it as a standard policy despite her being pronounced dead on arrival. Amarachi was shocked and demanded an explanation but was met with insistence that the money had to be paid. After reluctantly transferring the funds, the hospital then required a police report before releasing the body.
Favour, who sublet the apartment, offered to assist by visiting the police station but claimed she had no money for transportation. Amarachi sent her N5,000 for transport and an additional N28,000 for airtime. However, upon reaching the police station, officers allegedly demanded N100,000 before she could make a statement. Amarachi expressed disbelief and questioned the fee, but the officers refused to provide official account details, insisting he send the money to a third-party account provided by Favour, which belonged to a POS operator. Suspecting foul play but desperate to retrieve her sister’s body, Amarachi paid the amount.
The family’s pain was further compounded by the emotional trauma of breaking the news to their mother. Initially, they concealed the truth, telling her that Chizoba was sick and unable to speak, until the body could be moved from Lagos to Imo State. When the body finally arrived, they broke the news gently, with Amarachi begging their mother to stay strong.
Chizoba, who left behind two children, had plans to open a beauty salon in Lagos after returning from Dubai. Her dreams were abruptly cut short by an accident that has raised serious questions about building safety and the ethics of emergency response. The Oguzie family is now calling on relevant authorities to investigate the matter thoroughly and ensure justice is served. “A life was lost. Someone has to be held accountable,” Amarachi emphasized. “It’s not enough to say it was an accident. Was the structure properly built? Who inspected it? Who approved it? These are the questions we need answered.”
