A three-storey building has collapsed in Wuse Zone 4, Abuja, just hours after officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) ordered occupants to vacate the premises.
The Nation reports that the incident occurred on Monday evening, after the Department of Development Control had visited the property, sealed the building and instructed those inside to leave over concerns about its condition.
Emergency responders were dispatched to the scene following reports of the collapse, with personnel from the FCT Fire Service, police and other relevant agencies joining the search for possible victims trapped beneath the rubble.
As of the latest reports, authorities had not confirmed any casualties, while rescue personnel continued efforts to assess the extent of the incident and determine whether anyone remained trapped.
The cause of the collapse was also yet to be established. Police authorities said investigations would be conducted to determine the circumstances that led to the building’s failure.
The incident has raised fresh concerns about the safety of buildings in poor condition across Abuja and the enforcement of building regulations, particularly where authorities have already identified a property as potentially unsafe.
Members of the public have been advised to stay away from the affected area to allow emergency responders to carry out rescue operations and safety assessments.
