There was panic in Wuse Zone 4, Abuja, after a building collapsed on Monday evening, prompting emergency agencies to launch a search and rescue operation.
The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD) said it received a distress call about the incident at approximately 7:20 p.m., after which emergency responders were deployed to the scene.
The Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Public Communication and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, said the affected structure had previously been sealed by the FCT Administration’s Department of Development Control.
According to Olayinka, authorities had also directed occupants to vacate the building before it collapsed.
At the time of the report, officials had not confirmed any casualty. However, rescue personnel continued searching through the debris to determine whether anyone was trapped beneath the rubble.
FCT Police Command spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, said police officers were among the first responders at the scene. She disclosed that the police team was led by the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Department of Operations, ACP Edward Akaniyene, alongside the Area Commander, Metro, ACP Georgelyn Ufomadu.
Adeh said personnel from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Federal Fire Service, FCTA Security Service Department and other relevant agencies were also involved in the rescue operation.
She explained that preliminary investigations indicated that the building had already been marked and sealed by the Department of Development Control.
“No victims have been confirmed so far. However, search and rescue operations are ongoing to identify and rescue anyone who may be trapped under the debris,” Adeh said.
The police spokesperson added that an investigation had commenced to establish the circumstances surrounding the collapse and determine its possible cause.
She appealed to residents to remain calm, keep away from the affected area and cooperate with emergency personnel to allow the rescue operation to proceed without obstruction.
Adeh said authorities would provide further updates as more information becomes available, particularly regarding the extent of the damage and any possible casualties.
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