A three-storey commercial building has collapsed in Wuse Zone 4, Abuja, hours after officials of the FCT Administration’s Development Control Department reportedly sealed the structure and ordered occupants to vacate the premises.
The building collapsed on Monday evening, September 7, triggering a rescue operation involving emergency responders, including personnel of the FCT Fire Service.
The FCT Emergency Management Department (FEMD) said it received a distress call about the incident at around 7:20pm and immediately mobilised emergency personnel to the scene.
According to FEMD, eyewitnesses initially reported that there were no casualties. However, search and rescue operations continued as officials worked to determine whether anyone was trapped under the rubble.
Responders were also awaiting the arrival of an excavator to assist with the search and enable them to properly assess the collapsed structure.
The Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Media, Lere Olayinka, confirmed that personnel of the FCT Fire Service were at the scene, while three ambulances had been deployed to support the rescue operation.
Olayinka further disclosed that the FCTA Development Control Department had sealed the building earlier on Monday and directed its occupants to leave before the structure eventually collapsed.
The circumstances surrounding the collapse, including the condition of the building before it gave way and the reason for the sealing order, are expected to form part of the investigation into the incident.
As of the time of filing the report, the exact cause of the collapse and whether anyone was injured or trapped remained unclear.
FEMD urged residents to remain calm and stay away from the scene to allow emergency responders and security personnel unhindered access to carry out rescue and assessment operations.
The agency said further information on the number of people affected and the cause of the collapse would be released as the situation develops.
