FCT emergency agency: Seven died in Abuja collapsed building

The federal capital territory emergency management department (FEMD) says seven persons died in a building collapse incident in the Sabon Lugbe area of Abuja, the nation’s capital.

The collapsed building, located at Gidash Estate came down on Saturday evening, trapping many people under rubble.

In a statement on Saturday, Abdulrahman Mohammed, the acting director of FEMD, said the structure of one of the buildings earmarked for removal by the FCT department of development control.

Mohammed clarified that only seven persons died in the incident contrary to media reports that 40 residents were killed.

He added that the victims were scavenging for iron rods and other building materials when the structure collapsed.

“What happened is that the structure was marked for removal by the FCT Development Control Department,” the statement reads.

“So, these scavengers taking advantage of the fact that there would be no demolition exercise at the weekend, moved in to strip the iron rods in the pillars holding up the building leading to the unfortunate incident.”

Mohammed stated that Mohammed Hussein, the chairman of Miyetti Allah, FCT chapter, confirmed to FEMD that five members of the association were removed dead from the rubble.

He added that seven other persons were rescued alive from the rubble of the collapsed building.

Meanwhile, the acting director said FEMD has called off its search and rescue operation after excavation of the site, noting that there were no persons trapped in the rubble.

He appealed to scavengers to shun demolition sites and allow the FCTA carryout the removal of structures to avert a re-occurrence of the incident.

He called on FCT residents to always use the 112-toll free emergency number in the event of any emergency or disaster.