How Police, Hospital Exploited Us – Brother of Woman Killed by Falling Water Tank Speaks

The family of 34-year-old Chizoba Oguzie, who was tragically killed in her sleep after a water tank collapsed through the roof of her Lagos apartment, is crying out for justice, alleging exploitation by both the police and a private hospital. Her elder brother, Amarachi Oguzie, based in the United States, described the heartbreaking events surrounding her death and the alleged misconduct that followed.

Chizoba, a mother of two, died on March 18, 2025, at her residence on View Avenue, Chevron, Lagos. According to her brother, the overhead tank, which was filled with water, fell from its stand and crashed through the building’s roof, landing directly on her bed while she slept. She died instantly.

“She went to work that day, came home, freshened up, and laid down to rest. She had no idea it would be her last moment,” Amarachi told *SK Blog*. “She didn’t even have a chance to scream. She just slept and never woke up.”

Chizoba had reportedly rented her apartment through a middlewoman named Favour Nnanna, who sublet the property to her. Amarachi said efforts to reach the actual property owner have been futile, with Favour providing a phone number that turned out to be invalid. “The woman who answered the call claimed she didn’t know my sister or the house. I asked Favour again, but she insisted it was the correct number she used on WhatsApp,” he said.

Amarachi expressed frustration at the landlord’s complete silence following the fatal incident. “Even if my sister didn’t rent the apartment directly from the owner, someone died in that house. The least the owner can do is acknowledge it and reach out. Their silence is not just disrespectful—it’s heartless.”

Following the tragedy, Chizoba’s body was taken to a private hospital, where staff confirmed she had died before arrival. However, the hospital reportedly refused to release her remains unless the family paid N250,000. “I was shocked,” Amarachi said. “They admitted she was dead upon arrival, yet insisted we pay this amount without explaining what for. I sent the money just to avoid further delays.”

After payment was made, the hospital allegedly introduced another hurdle: a police report. Favour volunteered to visit the police station but requested money for transportation and communication, which Amarachi provided. Once at the station, officers reportedly demanded N100,000 before taking a statement. “I asked why. They just said if we couldn’t pay, she should leave. I eventually sent the money through a PoS operator’s account,” Amarachi explained, describing the experience as extortion at a time of deep personal loss.

Chizoba, who had returned from Dubai in recent years, had been working as a hairdresser and nail technician in Lagos while raising her two children. She had previously trained in Aba, Abia State, with the financial support of Amarachi, who had encouraged her to build a career and live independently after separating from her children’s father.

Her brother said she had dreams of opening a beauty salon and settling down in Nigeria after her stint abroad. “She was hardworking, determined, and full of life. It’s devastating that her journey ended like this—through no fault of her own.”

The family has since moved her remains from Lagos to their hometown in Imo State, where preparations are underway for her burial on April 25. Amarachi said their mother, a widow, is struggling to cope with the loss. “We tried to shield her from the full story initially. But once the body arrived, we had to tell her. She’s been strong, but it’s not easy. No parent should ever bury their child.”

Amarachi stated that the family is now considering legal action, especially in light of the continued silence from the property owner. He also called for an investigation into the structural safety of the building where Chizoba lived, stressing that similar tragedies can be prevented if authorities enforce building regulations.

“This isn’t just about my sister anymore,” he said. “It’s about accountability. If this negligence is allowed to go unchallenged, more lives could be lost.”