Police operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) command say they have rescued three (3) people who were trapped when a 4-storey building collapsed in Garki area of the capital city. The building, attached to a hotel in the area collapsed on Monday night, trapping numerous individuals under the debris. Initial eyewitness reports had suggested there might be fatalities, citing the lack of coordination among emergency responders hindering efficient operations.
“There is a possibility that there could be some people inside the collapsed building who may have died. I saw two people being pulled out from the rubble now and taken to the hospital while rescue operations were ongoing. The emergency responders are not coordinated yet for efficient operations,” an eyewitness had told newsmen.
Another witness who lives in the area said the collapsed of the building caused serious pandemonium among residents due to the sound that emanated from the building. “In fact, it was even God that saved me because I went to a shop near the building to buy some items, just few minutes I left the area, when the building collapsed,” he said.
Responding to the reports and giving an update on the situation, the spokeswoman for the FCT, SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed the reports but added 3 people were rescued from the rubble and rushed to the hospital for medical attention. She said upon receipt of the complaint, the commissioner of police, Benneth Igweh, mobilized officers to the scene to secure the area and commence rescue operations.
“The personnel of both FCT NEMA and development control have taken charge of the area for robust management of the scene,” she added and also said additional information will be revealed when they become available.
