The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has directed that victims injured in the collapse of a three-storey building in Abuja on Saturday receive free medical care as rescue workers continue operations at the scene where five people lost their lives.
The incident happened at a building under construction located behind Gudu Market in the Federal Capital Territory. According to emergency officials, the structure collapsed around 8:30 a.m., trapping several workers and labourers beneath the debris.
Mandate Secretary of the FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, disclosed the minister’s directive during a visit to the scene of the disaster. She explained that emergency teams were still searching through the rubble in an effort to rescue more victims believed to be trapped.
During the rescue operation, one survivor was brought out alive after spending more than nine hours under the collapsed structure. Dr Fasawe attended to the victim at the scene before he was taken to the hospital for further medical attention.
The FCT Emergency Management Department, FEMD, confirmed that five persons died in the incident while 11 others suffered injuries. The agency also said rescue workers had so far pulled out 16 persons from the site.
According to the department, injured victims were taken to different hospitals in Abuja, including the Federal Medical Centre, Asokoro District Hospital and Maitama Hospital for treatment. Officials added that most of the trapped victims were construction labourers working at the site when the building gave way.
Several emergency and security agencies participated in the operation, including the National Emergency Management Agency, Federal Fire Service, FCT Fire Service and the FCT Police Command. Personnel of the Nigerian Army, Federal Road Safety Corps, FCT Emergency Medical Services and health workers from Wuse District Hospital were also present at the scene as rescue efforts continued.
Residents and bystanders gathered around the area while emergency responders worked to clear the rubble and search for more survivors.