Over twenty-two students died and one hundred and thirty-two persons were injured following the collapse of a two-story building at Saint Academy, a secondary school around the Bussa Buji area of Jos, the Plateau State capital.
According to a statement issued by the Plateau State Government in Jos, the incident occurred around 10: am on Friday when Junior Students of the Academy were writing their third term examinations when the two-story buildings suddenly collapsed affecting eight classes.
Some residents have complained about the school building due to the mining activities being carried out because it is a waterlogged area.
According to Plateau Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr Musa Ashoms who visited the scene said the school had a total population of about 400.
“The collapsed building has resulted in casualties, and injured students are still being evacuated to hospitals. We cannot, however, ascertain the exact number of casualties until the evacuation is completed
“The emergency workers are doing a lot in the rescue efforts. The Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has urged the medical personnel in the hospitals to ensure that they save the lives of survivors.
“They should not ask for money because this is an emergency,” he said.
Ashoms, however, said the incident had underscored the imperative of order 003 of the state government, which was meant to enforce the implementation of the Greater Jos Master Plan, to prevent such unfortunate incidences.
He explained that the collapsed school building, built on a waterlogged area, clearly did not meet construction standards.
Ashoms said that the Jos Metropolitan Development Board (JMDB) would ensure that faulty buildings were brought down, while ongoing constructions would henceforth conform to standards.
The Executive Secretary Plateau State Emergency Management Agency SEMA, Sunday Abdu applauded collaborations from sister agencies for the quick response and spirited individuals that curtailed several casualties.
The Zonal Coordinator North Central, Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute, David Josa confirmed to newsmen that samples of the collapsed building have been taken for investigation to ascertain the cause of the incident, assuring that anyone found guilty of compromising standards will be made to face the full wrath of the law.
Emergency rescue teams were taking the injured students for medical attention while frantic efforts were made to rescue some of the victims trapped beneath the rubble with the aid of an excavator.
In June, a two-story building under construction collapsed at Ekeoyibo Market, Amawbia, in the Awka South local government area of Anambra State.
The building was said to have been housing traders and shop owners before it came down.
In February 2023, at least three persons were feared dead after a building under construction caved in along Isi Ewu road, Nbodo Community in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.
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