A three-storey building has collapsed in Wuse Zone 4, Abuja, hours after the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) marked the structure for demolition over safety concerns.
The building, which served both commercial and residential purposes, collapsed on Monday evening, prompting the immediate mobilisation of emergency responders to the scene.
The FCT Emergency Management Department (FEMD) said it received a distress call about the incident at around 7:20 p.m. and commenced search and rescue operations shortly afterwards.
No casualty was recorded, according to the Head of Search and Rescue, FEMD, Monday Adie.
Heavy-duty equipment, including an excavator and payloader provided by Zeberced Construction Company, arrived at the scene at about 11:04 p.m. to support excavation and removal of the collapsed structure.
Adie said excavation was initially delayed to allow occupants to retrieve their personal belongings and valuables from the premises.
He said the combined efforts of security agencies and volunteers helped recover about 90 per cent of the occupants’ belongings before excavation and demolition activities began.
The FCTA said the building had earlier been identified as structurally unsafe after one of its supporting pillars collapsed.
The Department of Development Control subsequently marked the building for demolition and issued notices directing occupants to vacate the premises. The structure was reportedly sealed earlier on Monday before it eventually collapsed.
Personnel from 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 Health and Human Services Secretariat participated in the emergency response.
Three ambulances were also deployed to the scene to provide emergency medical support.
The FCTA has urged residents to stay away from the affected area to enable emergency responders and security agencies to carry out excavation and other operations without obstruction.
Authorities are expected to continue investigations into the circumstances surrounding the collapse and the structural condition of the building.
