FEMD Rescues Three from Abuja Building Collapse, No Fatalities Reported
By Matthew Eloyi
The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD) successfully rescued three individuals from the rubble of a collapsed four-story building in Abuja on Monday.
Acting Director-General of FEMD, Mrs Florence Wenegieme, revealed in a statement on Tuesday that the incident resulted in no fatalities. The collapsed building was located at 23 Nkwere Street, off Ahmadu Bello Way, Area 11, Garki in the FCT.
“The victims were promptly taken to the hospital, treated, and discharged,” Wenegieme stated. She detailed that FEMD received a distress call at around 8:20 p.m. on Monday via the department’s 112 emergency toll-free number regarding the collapse of the building, which was undergoing renovations.
Upon receiving the call, FEMD activated the Department of Development Control, FCT Fire Service, Federal Fire Service, Julius Berger Fire Service, and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). CGC Construction Company was also mobilized to provide support, while the Garki Divisional Police Command was already on-site.
Wenegieme noted that other construction workers were outside the building when it collapsed. She emphasized the importance of adhering to building codes, engaging professional builders and engineers, conducting integrity tests on existing structures before renovations, and using only standard building materials.
Reacting to the incident, Mr Mukhtar Galadima, Director of Development Control, ordered the demolition of the remaining structures and sealed the premises. He also disclosed plans to engage the Nigerian Buildings and Roads Research Institute to conduct integrity tests on other buildings in the vicinity.
