The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD) successfully rescued three individuals from a collapsed four-storey building in Abuja, located at number 23 Nkwere Street, off Ahmadu Bello Way, Area 11, Garki. Fortunately, there were no fatalities reported in the incident.
Florence Wenegieme, the acting Director-General of FEMD, confirmed that the victims rescued alive were promptly taken to the hospital for treatment and were subsequently discharged. The collapse occurred during renovations, prompting an immediate response from various emergency services including FCT Fire Service, Federal Fire Service, Julius Berger Fire Service, and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
In response to the incident, FEMD emphasized the importance of adhering to building codes, employing professional builders and engineers, and conducting integrity tests on buildings before renovations. Mukhtar Galadima, Director of Development Control, ordered the demolition of remaining structures at the site and the sealing of the premises. Additionally, the Nigerian Buildings and Roads Research Institute will conduct integrity tests on surrounding buildings to ensure safety.
This incident underscores the critical need for stringent adherence to building regulations and safety protocols to prevent such occurrences in the future.