By Uche Onyeali
Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Police Command has confirmed the collapse of a building in Sabon Lugbe area.
According to eyewitnesses, no fewer than 40 people were trapped in the rubbles of the building.
AljazirahNigeria reports that the building under construction collapsed in the early hours of Saturday, prompting calls for immediate intervention from government agencies and emergency response teams.
Witnesses at the scene expressed urgency for additional support to aid ongoing rescue efforts.
According to an eyewitness, “No fewer than 40 persons are currently trapped in a building that collapsed in Sabon Lugbe area of the Federal Capital Territory. People are under this rubble. It is a building under construction. We are calling on government and relevant agencies to come and rescue those who are trapped here.”
This incident came weeks after a section of a two-storey residential building collapsed in Kubwa area. In that case, four people were rescued, while an unconfirmed number of others were initially feared trapped.
The Kubwa building is located close to Cupid Hotel on Sultan Dasuki Way.
Meanwhile, confirming the Sabon Lugbe incident, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josphine Adeh said preliminary investigations revealed that the building was previously demolished by the Federal Capital Development Administration, FCDA, due to its location in an illegally acquired area.
Adeh, in a statement yesterday, said: “The FCT Police Command has confirmed the collapse of a building situated in Vidaz Estate, within Sabon Lugbe extension. Our preliminary investigation revealed that the building was previously demolished by FCT Authorities due to its location in an illegally acquired area.
“Regrettably, the structure was further compromised by scavengers who had been tampering with the remnants for scrap metal, ultimately leading to its secondary collapse.
“A total of five individuals were successfully rescued from the debris and there were no reported fatalities.
“In the light of this incident, we urge the public to respect the boundaries of demolished structures and construction sites, ensuring their safety and preventing similar occurrences in the future.”
