A two-storey residential apartment partially collapsed in Abuja on Saturday morning, leading to a frantic rescue operation that has so far saved four individuals from the rubble.
The incident occurred beside Cupid Hotel on Sultan Dansuki Road, Phase 2, Site 2, Kubwa, in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory.
According to Channels, The FCT Emergency Management Department (FEMD) responded swiftly to the disaster after receiving notifications from passers-by and a distress call on the 112 emergency toll-free number at approximately 6:45 am. Two of the rescued victims have been transported to Kubwa General Hospital for medical attention.
Mrs. Florence Wenegieme, Acting Director General of FEMD, who is overseeing the rescue efforts at the scene, stated:
“Search and rescue efforts are ongoing until the last person is removed, if at all there is still someone trapped in the rubble.”
The Explainer also gathered that the collapsed structure, which contained 45 self-contained rooms, was originally used as a hotel before being repurposed for residential use.
This incident follows closely on the heels of two other recent building collapses. Less than 24 hours earlier, a school building collapsed in Plateau State, resulting in 22 fatalities and injuring 132 persons. Additionally, just eleven days prior, another building collapsed at Unity House, Area 11, Garki, in Abuja.
In light of these recurring incidents, Mrs. Wenegieme issued a stern warning to developers:
“We appeal to developers to follow strictly the building code and avoid the use of substandard materials.”
The frequency of these collapses underscores the urgent need for stricter enforcement of building regulations and more thorough inspections of existing structures, especially those that have undergone significant changes in use.
The incident has once again brought to the forefront the critical importance of building safety and the potential consequences of neglecting structural integrity in urban development.
