In a tragic and deeply troubling case that has exposed both institutional negligence and alleged extortion, the family of Chizoba Oguzie — a young mother of two — is seeking justice after her untimely death caused by a collapsed water tank at her residence in the Chevron area of Lagos State.
Chizoba, a hairdresser and aspiring beauty entrepreneur, was killed on March 18, 2025, when a full water tank stand at her apartment on No. 7, View Avenue, gave way and crashed directly onto her bed while she slept, ending her life instantly.
Her elder brother, Amarachi Oguzie, who resides in the United States, described the sequence of events as not only a heartbreaking personal tragedy but also an appalling example of systemic failure and exploitation by both medical professionals and the police.
“She didn’t even get the chance to scream for help. Just like that, she was gone,” Amarachi said in an emotional interview. “She went to bed expecting to wake up, but she never did. No one deserves this.”
According to Amarachi, the water tank stand collapsed during the day shortly after Chizoba returned from work. The heavy tank smashed through the roof and landed squarely on her bed while she was resting. Neighbors rushed to rescue her, but she was declared dead on arrival at a nearby private hospital.
Shockingly, Amarachi recounted how the hospital, despite confirming her death, demanded a payment of N250,000 before releasing her remains.
“When I asked why I was being charged when she was brought in dead, the doctor told me it was hospital policy. I didn’t want her body to start decaying, so I paid the money immediately,” Amarachi said.
But the ordeal did not end there. The hospital insisted on a police report before her body could be released, prompting a friend of the deceased, Favour Nnanna — who had sublet the apartment to Chizoba — to approach the police.
Amarachi alleged that officers at the station demanded N100,000 simply to allow Favour to make a statement, refusing to provide an official police account for payment and instead directing the money to be sent to a PoS operator’s personal account.
“The police wouldn’t even give me an official bank account. They told me to send the money to a PoS agent. I had no choice but to comply. The longer the delay, the more pain we were in,” Amarachi lamented.
Adding to the family’s anguish is the elusive conduct of the property’s owner. Despite repeated efforts, the family has been unable to reach the landlady, who, according to Favour, resides abroad. Amarachi stated that when he finally contacted a number given to him, the woman who answered denied any knowledge of his sister or the tragic incident.
“If my sister had set the house on fire, I bet the landlady would have surfaced. But now that a life was lost due to the collapse of her property, she’s nowhere to be found,” he said.
Amarachi also expressed frustration at Favour, who has since avoided providing valid contact information for the property owner. He described the days following the tragedy as emotionally devastating, especially for their mother, who is still grappling with the shock and grief.
“My mother hasn’t been the same. She’s a widow, and this has broken her spirit. We tried to comfort her, but how do you console a mother whose child died so suddenly and senselessly?” Amarachi said.
Chizoba had only recently returned from Dubai and was working tirelessly to rebuild her life, with plans to open her own salon in Lagos. She was a trained hairdresser, nail technician, and online beauty product vendor. Her life, however, was cut short, leaving her two young children motherless.
Amarachi disclosed that the family, despite their heartbreak, is now preparing to pursue legal action against all responsible parties.
“Someone must be held accountable for her death,” he insisted. “Since the house owner and the hospital have chosen to act with such indifference, we will seek justice through the courts.”
The family has also called on the Lagos State Government and relevant agencies to investigate the structural integrity of the property, the conduct of the hospital, and the unprofessional actions of the police officers involved.
Chizoba Oguzie will be laid to rest in her hometown in Imo State on Friday, April 25, 2025. Her family remains steadfast in their demand for justice, hoping her tragic death will serve as a wake-up call on the need for accountability, structural safety, and human decency.
“She was the second to the last of six children,” Amarachi added, his voice heavy with grief. “Her death has left a hole in our hearts that can never be filled. We will not rest until the truth is revealed, and justice is served.”
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