Wuse building collapse: No casualty, 90% of occupants’ belongings salvaged, demolition commenced — FCTA

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Tuesday said no casualty was recorded when a three-storey building collapsed in Wuse Zone 4, Abuja, while about 90 per cent of the occupants’ belongings were salvaged before excavation operations began.

The building, which served both commercial and residential purposes, collapsed on Monday evening after it had earlier been identified by the FCTA as structurally unsafe and marked for demolition.

The Head of Search and Rescue at the FCT Emergency Management Department (FEMD), Monday Adie, confirmed that no one was trapped or killed in the incident.

Heavy-duty equipment, including an excavator and payloader belonging to Zeberced Construction Company, arrived at the scene at about 11:04 p.m. on Monday and immediately commenced excavation operations to ascertain whether any victims were trapped beneath the rubble.

Adie explained that the operation was initially delayed to allow occupants sufficient time to evacuate and salvage their personal belongings and valuables.

He said the combined efforts of security agencies and volunteers at the scene ensured that approximately 90 per cent of the occupants’ properties were successfully removed before excavation and demolition operations commenced.

The FCTA said the building had earlier been flagged as unsafe by the Department of Development Control following the collapse of one of the pillars supporting the structure.

The department subsequently marked the property for demolition and issued notices directing occupants to vacate the premises because of the danger posed by its structural condition.

The FCTA has since commenced the removal of the remnants of the collapsed building.

Officials of the Federal Fire Service, FCT Fire Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, FCT Police Command, Department of Development Control, National Emergency Management Agency, and the Health and Environment Secretariat were at the scene.

The FCTA reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property and said it would continue to enforce compliance with building regulations and safety standards across the Federal Capital Territory.