By Ben Adoga, Abuja
The FCT Police Command and the Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD) have confirmed that no lives were lost in the collapse of a three-storey building in the Wuse area of Abuja.
The building, located on Abidjan Street, Wuse Zone 3, collapsed on the night of September 7, triggering an emergency response involving several government agencies.
The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, said the command received a distress report at about 7:45 p.m. and immediately deployed personnel to the scene.
According to her, the rescue operation was led by the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, ACP Edward Akaniyene, and the Area Commander, Metro, ACP Georgelyn Ufomadu.
Other agencies involved in the operation included the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Federal Fire Service, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and other emergency responders.
The rescue and search operation continued into Tuesday before being formally concluded at noon.
FEMD, in a statement issued by its Head of Public Affairs, Nkechi Isa, confirmed that no casualties were recorded at the end of the operation.
“By this noon, the rescue operation ended; no casualty was recorded,” the agency said.
However, preliminary findings have raised questions about the condition of the building before its collapse.
The police said initial investigations showed that the structure had earlier been identified as defective and sealed by the FCT Department of Development Control.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the building had earlier been marked and sealed by the Department of Development Control, Abuja,” Adeh said.
The police added that investigations were continuing to establish the circumstances and immediate cause of the collapse.
The incident has renewed concerns over compliance with development regulations and the enforcement of building safety standards in the Federal Capital Territory.
FEMD urged residents to avoid crowding emergency scenes and allow rescue workers unrestricted access during disasters.
“Members of the public are advised to always remain calm and stay away from the scene to allow emergency responders and security personnel unrestricted access for rescue and response operations,” the agency said.
The FCT Department of Development Control had reportedly questioned the structural integrity of the building and ordered occupants to vacate the premises before the collapse.
