[UPDATE] Abuja building collapse: Two dead, 37 rescued

Two persons have been confirmed dead, three trapped and 37 others rescued following a building collapse late Wednesday on Lagos Street in the Garki Village area of Abuja.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) spokesperson Nkechi Isa confirmed the incident yesterday.

She said: “Rescue efforts are ongoing as the search for more victims intensifies at the scene of the building collapse at Lagos Street, Garki Village opposite the Garki police station in the FCT.

“A combined team of the FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Federal Road Safety Corps, (FRSC), FCT Police Command, and the VIO are on the ground to carry out the rescue efforts

“The two-storey building which serves both residential and commercial purposes collapsed on Wednesday night. 37 persons were rescued alive, while two others were fatally injured.”

According to Isa, the agency’s Search and Rescue team was awaiting excavators to intensify the search and ensure no victim was left in the rubble.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, who visited the area, ordered the arrest of the owner of the building.

Wike also asked the Permanent Secretary, FCT Administration, Mr. Adesola Olusade, to pay the medical bills of those hospitalised.

The minister also urged the Department of Development Control, FCTA, to urgently resettle community residents.

He urged stakeholders to work with government officials in everyone’s interest.

Earlier, the Director, Development Control, Mr. Mukhtar Galadima, explained that the area was unplanned and houses an indigenous community.

Also, the Director-General, FCT FEMA, Dr. Idriss Abass, said that relevant agencies had been on the ground since the occurrence of the incident, to rescue the victims.