Building Collapses in Abuja, Kills 5; Wike Orders Free Treatment

A three-storey building collapsed in Abuja on Saturday, killing at least five people and hospitalising eleven others, prompting FCT Minister Nyesom Wike to order free medical treatment for all casualties.

The building, which was under construction, collapsed at 8:30am behind Gudu Market. The FCT Emergency Management Department said search and rescue teams rescued 16 persons from the rubble, with most of those trapped being labourers.

Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, Mandate Secretary of the FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat, visited the site and disclosed Wike’s directive for free medical treatment. She personally attended to one victim who was pulled out alive after spending more than nine hours trapped under the debris before he was moved to hospital.

Rescue Operations Ongoing

Fasawe noted that rescue operations were still ongoing as emergency responders continued efforts to evacuate more victims believed to be trapped beneath the rubble.

The FCT Emergency Management Department, in a statement signed by the department’s Head of Public Affairs, Mrs Nkechi Isa, said 11 of the survivors have been taken to the Federal Medical Center Abuja, Asokoro District Hospital and Maitama Hospital for treatment.

Emergency personnel from multiple agencies were at the scene, including the National Emergency Management Agency, Federal Fire Service, FCT Fire Service, FCT Police Command, Nigerian Army, Federal Road Safety Corps, and FCT Emergency Medical Services.

Wike Orders Investigation

Wike has directed an immediate investigation into the incident to determine the cause of the collapse and whether proper building standards were followed. The minister has been known to take a hard line on building violations in the FCT.

Building collapses have become a recurring tragedy in Nigerian cities, with lax enforcement of building codes and the use of substandard materials often cited as contributing factors. Abuja has seen several such incidents in recent years, despite repeated warnings from regulatory authorities.

Anxious residents looked on as rescue workers continued their efforts through the day, hoping against hope that more survivors might be found beneath the debris.

Sources: NewsDiary, The Sun, Daily Post, NAN