BUILDING COLLAPSED IN ABUJA, 2 PEOPLE CONFIRMED DEAD, 37 INJURED
Tragedy struck Abuja on a fateful Wednesday night as a multi-story building collapsed, resulting in a devastating loss of life. At least two individuals lost their lives in the unfortunate incident, as reported by local residents who shared their accounts with PREMIUM TIMES.
The ill-fated building, situated on Lagos Street in the Garki district of Nigeria’s capital city, had a dual purpose, serving as both a residential and commercial space. The collapse occurred around 11 p.m., catching occupants completely off guard, including Aminu Idriss, who bravely recounted his harrowing experience to the newspaper. Idriss, who resided within the now-collapsed building, had just returned from a long day at work and was seeking some much-needed rest when the building suddenly crumbled, trapping him and his siblings in the debris.
Describing the terrifying moment in his own words, Idriss shared, “As we entered the building, an unexpected catastrophe struck. The structure collapsed, leaving us in shock and causing injuries to us. Tragically, we lost our siblings, and many others were also injured in the chaos.”
Swift and coordinated emergency responses were activated, with teams from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) rushing to the scene. Their immediate objectives were to clear away the debris and ensure that no one remained trapped within the wreckage.
FEMA’s Director General, Abbas Idris, provided official confirmation of the fatalities, reporting, “Through our efforts, we were able to rescue and assist 37 individuals. Regrettably, two individuals succumbed to their injuries, and they were promptly transported to various medical facilities within the city.”
The extensive rescue operation was initiated immediately following the collapse and continued until every corner of the debris was meticulously searched to ensure no survivors were overlooked. Regarding the specific number of occupants housed within the building, Abbas Idris acknowledged the complexity of the situation, stating, “Gathering accurate data on the number of residents has been challenging. We are actively investigating to ascertain the precise count and details of those affected.”
Charity Yusuf, a neighboring resident residing across from the building that collapsed, shared valuable insights. According to Yusuf, occupants had previously been advised to evacuate due to the building’s precarious condition. Tragically, this crucial advice went unheeded, culminating in the devastating catastrophe. Yusuf explained, “Warnings were issued, urging residents to vacate the compromised building. Regrettably, not everyone heeded the warnings, and the heart-wrenching incident transpired.”
In response to the incident, Nyesom Wike, the newly appointed Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), personally visited the scene on Thursday morning. Taking decisive action, Wike ordered the immediate arrest of the building’s owner. Furthermore, he assured the public that the FCT administration would shoulder the medical expenses of those injured.
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Drawing upon his earlier commitments upon assuming office, Wike emphasized the importance of adhering to rigorous building standards. “This tragic event underscores the significance of our initial statements, where we highlighted the rampant construction without due diligence to safety protocols,” Wike emphasized. Reaffirming his dedication to rectifying the situation, Wike reiterated his intent to remove illegal structures as part of broader efforts to restore the integrity of the Abuja Master Plan.
In the aftermath of the catastrophe, numerous former residents of the collapsed building gathered near the excavation site, holding onto hope as they searched for any remnants of their belongings that might have survived the wreckage. This sobering incident serves as a poignant reminder of the paramount importance of adhering to construction standards and upholding safety measures to avert such heartrending tragedies.
