No fewer than eight persons have been rescued from the rubble of a three-storey building that collapsed on Friday morning in Jikwoyi Phase 1, Abuja.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Commissioner, Ahmed Mohammed Sanusi, confirmed the incident while speaking to journalists.
According to him, the command received a distress call at about 9:00 a.m. reporting the collapse of the building, which was still under construction.
He explained that upon receiving the report, he immediately mobilised alongside the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations and a rescue team to the scene.
“The area was swiftly cordoned off, and a coordinated rescue operation was launched,” he said.
The operation was supported by several agencies, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Nigerian Red Cross, Federal Fire Service, officials of the FCT Administration, and representatives of CGC Construction Company.
Preliminary findings indicate that 17 workers were on-site at the time of the collapse. Eight of them were rescued from the debris and taken to Sisters of the Nativity Hospital, where they are currently receiving treatment.
The police commissioner further disclosed that nine other workers managed to escape unhurt.
He added that rescue efforts are ongoing to locate and evacuate any additional victims who may still be trapped beneath the rubble.
CP Sanusi also revealed that the command has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident in collaboration with the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) to determine the cause of the collapse.
He urged residents to remain calm and vigilant, and to promptly report emergencies or suspicious activities through the command’s emergency lines.
