A building has collapsed in Wuse Zone 4, Abuja, hours after the Development Control Department of the Federal Capital Territory Administration sealed the structure and directed occupants to vacate the premises. The incident occurred on Monday evening after the building had reportedly shown signs of distress.
The FCT Police Command said it received a distress call about the collapse at approximately 7:45pm and immediately deployed a response team to the scene. Rescue operations were subsequently launched to determine whether anyone was trapped beneath the rubble.
Police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, said preliminary findings showed that the building had previously been marked and sealed by the FCTA Development Control Department. She said personnel from the National Emergency Management Agency, Federal Road Safety Corps, Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, Federal Fire Service, the Security Service Department and other relevant agencies joined the rescue effort.
Lere Olayinka, media aide to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, also confirmed that rescue operations were underway at the site. The FCTA had reportedly issued occupants a quit notice earlier on Monday following concerns about the condition of the structure.
Adeh said no casualty had been confirmed as of the time of the police statement, while search and rescue teams continued working at the site. She said the operation was aimed at identifying and rescuing any persons who might have been trapped under the collapsed structure.
The police said an investigation had commenced to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine its possible cause. The development comes amid renewed concerns over building safety and enforcement of development control regulations in the Federal Capital Territory.
The command urged residents to remain calm and avoid the affected area to allow emergency responders to work without obstruction. It also advised members of the public to report suspicious activities and emergencies promptly through the police emergency lines.
