Building collapse

By Anas Abbas

In a recent briefing, the Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD) revealed that 2024 saw the successful rescue of 105 individuals from various building collapse incidents across the territory.

Engr. Abdulrahman Mohammed, the Acting Director General of FEMD, shared these statistics during a media conference held yesterday in Abuja.

The reported collapses occurred in several locations, including Prince and Princess Estate, Guzape District, Garki 2, Kubwa, and Sabon Lugbe along the Airport Road.

Mohammed highlighted that the department’s efforts not only focused on building collapses but also addressed other emergencies such as fire outbreaks, flooding, and earth tremors, while distributing relief materials to affected individuals.

Reflecting on the department’s activities over the past year, Mohammed noted that FEMD successfully saved approximately 3,500 lives through 165 calls made to its emergency toll-free number, 112.

He provided a detailed account of their search and rescue operations: “In 2024, we rescued 75 individuals from flood-related incidents. Unfortunately, we did record one fatality due to flooding in Angwan Hakimi, Orozo, within the Abuja Municipal Area Council. To alleviate the impact of heavy rains, we barricaded the slip road at Galadimawa interchange on June 25, reopening it on November 17.”

In terms of building collapses, he confirmed that while 105 people were rescued, there were four tragic fatalities. The incidents primarily took place at the aforementioned locations.

FEMD also reported significant success in managing fire outbreaks, rescuing 1,230 individuals without any loss of life. Notable incidents included fires at Old Karu Market, a fitness center in Gwarinpa, and various residential properties.

In a separate incident, FEMD officials and police intervened to prevent a suicide attempt on a mast atop Katampe Hill. Their quick response showcased their commitment to community safety.

The department also addressed concerns regarding an earth tremor that affected Mpape, Katampe, and parts of Maitama Extension, which left over 2,000 residents in distress. A comprehensive report on this incident was submitted to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

On the issue of road safety, FEMD reported rescuing 89 individuals from road crashes, although three fatalities were recorded. In response to these incidents, they launched their “Operation Eagle Eye” campaign in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps. This initiative aims to educate commercial drivers at motor parks across the FCT on safe driving practices during the busy ember months.

By Uzair Adam

Two children have been confirmed dead, and a couple sustained injuries after a two-storey building collapsed at Noman’s Land in the Fagge Local Government Area of Kano.

The incident, which occurred early Thursday morning, was confirmed by Dr. Nuraddeen Abdullahi, the Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in Kano.

According to Abdullahi, NEMA received a distress call at around 2:00 a.m. from a concerned citizen reporting the collapse. A rescue team was immediately dispatched to the site.

“Four individuals were rescued from the rubble, including a husband, wife, and their two children. Unfortunately, the two children were pronounced dead, while the parents were taken to the Armed Forces Specialist Hospital for medical treatment,” Abdullahi said.

Search and rescue operations are still ongoing, with teams from the Kano State Fire Service, Police, Red Cross, NSCDC, and SEMA working to find any remaining victims.

By Uzair Adam

A building collapse in the Makwarari area of Kano State has claimed the life of a 35-year-old mother and injured her two children.

The tragedy occurred on Friday following heavy rains that began on Thursday night and continued into the early hours of Friday morning.

The victim, identified as Balaraba Tijjani, was at home with her children, Abdulnasir and Abdallah, aged 11 and 13, when the incident happened.

According to her husband, Tijjani Magaji, the building’s collapse was due to the severe rainfall.

The Kano State Fire Service Spokesperson, Alhaji Saminu Abdullahi, confirmed the incident, noting that the structure was a one-storey residential building measuring 30 feet by 40 feet.

“We received an emergency call on Friday around 9:30 a.m. from one of our staff members, Ibrahim Isah, reporting the collapse,” Abdullahi said.

Emergency responders were promptly dispatched to the scene, where they managed to rescue the children alive.

They were taken to Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital in Kano for medical attention.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A tragic incident occurred in Asakio’s main market on Monday afternoon as an old building collapsed, resulting in the deaths of three individuals.

The victims, identified as two women and a child, hailed from the Lafia Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. 

The collapse caused immediate chaos, halting all commercial activities within the market.

Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with frantic rescue efforts underway to locate survivors trapped under the debris. 

Emergency responders were able to rescue two other individuals from the wreckage.

The injured were promptly taken to a nearby hospital, where they are currently receiving treatment. 

The disaster has sent shockwaves through the local community, leaving residents in mourning.

Daily Post reports that the incident has had a profound impact on the people of Asakio, highlighting the urgent need for building safety inspections and regulations in the area.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Many students were trapped in a school that collapsed in the Busa Buji community of the Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.

According to eyewitnesses, the building housing Saint Academy collapsed around 11 a.m. on Friday, leaving students who were writing exams trapped.

After news of the collapse broke, many parents thronged to the school, wailing uncontrollably.

Rescue operations are ongoing, and security personnel, including soldiers and police officers, have arrived at the scene.

A truck, which was heading for the scene, got stuck in the mud, making the rescue operations more challenging.

However, some of the injured students have been transported to the hospital for treatment.

By Uzair Adam Imam

A one-story building reportedly collapsed Friday in Kano and killed two siblings aged 15 and 11, while the eldest of them, aged 17, was rescued alive.

A statement sturdy by the Kano State Fire Service spokesman, Saminu Abdullahi, disclosed this on Saturday.

The statement stated that the house was located in the state’s Kofar Mata Hauren Gadagi area.

It reads, “At approximately 10:50 p.m., we received a distress call from one Jamilu Salisu-Zango stating that the 50 feet x 40 feet structure used as a dwelling house had collapsed from the top floor.”

“We dispatched a rescue team to the scene, and the three siblings were extracted from the rubble.”

Abdullahi said that two of them were unconscious and had been rushed to the Murtala Muhammad Special Hospital for medical attention.

He added that doctors, as immediately as they arrived, confirmed the deaths of two of the siblings.

According to him, their corpses were turned over to police at Kofar Wambai Police Station for further investigation.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Reports from Lagos have disclosed that Dr Idris Salako, the state Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, has resigned.

At the time of filing this report, the reason for his resignation was not known as he did not mention it in a letter to the Lagos State governor, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu.

However, some people believed that Saloko’s resignation must not be unconnected with the recurring collapse of buildings in the state.

The Daily Really gathered several buildings have collapsed in the state, including a 21-storey building on Gérard road in Ikoyi, Ikoyi, that collapsed last year in November.

It was learned that the traumatic incidents had led to the deaths of a number of innocent souls, including the owners, as of last year November in Ikoyi.

On Sunday, 4th September 2022, the seven-storey building under construction on Oba Idowu Oniru Street, Lagos, collapsed, killing four persons and leaving four others injured.

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has, however, accepted the resignation of Dr Salako.

By Muhammad Aminu

At least ten people have been trapped in a three-storey building being constructed in the famous Beirut Road market in Kano City.

An unspecified number of people have been affected, including some people working on the construction site.

An eyewitness said that the Kano State Government is constructing the building. He confirmed that close to ten people are still trapped in the collapsed building.

Three people have been rescued so far, but residents are lamenting the late arrival of the rescue operations team. An eyewitness also said his friend was among the trapped as his number rang and he answered, saying he was suffocating.

The incident happened around 30:30pm Tuesday.