Wike laments death of two in collapsed building

Nyesom Wike on Thursday lamented the death of two persons as he visited the scene of a building collapse in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital territory (FCT),  however, commended the various search and rescue teams at the scene for rapid response to the site of the building collapsed which was said to have occurred at about 11.50pm on Wednesday. The two-storey shopping plaza was said to have caved in after the day’s business.

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The FCT Minister, was accompanied by the FCTA permanent secretary, Olusade Adesola, to the scene of the building collapse. He describe the incident as unfortunate, decrying the death of two persons.

Collapsed Building in Abuja

The Minister, lamenting the death of two in the collapsed building,  ordered the Permanent Secretary to make necessary arrangements for the payment of the medical bills of the 35 rescued victims.

The Minister was cited to have said: “It is quite unfortunate that we woke up this morning to hear this very disturbing news.

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“I am grateful to all rescue agencies, especially NEMA. It’s unfortunate that two persons are dead.
“I will speak to the permanent secretary to make sure we pay the hospital bills of those who are rescued and that should be done immediately.”

Bulldozers were sighted clearing the rubble of the collapsed building at the time the Minster visited.

Ambulances were also stationed at the site for emergency evacuation of rescued victims to the hospital.

While 35 persons were said to have been rescued, several others were trapped in the rubble of the collapsed building as rescue operations continued.

Operative of the FCT Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) were committed to ensure the rescue of trapped victims alive.

Other agencies involved in the search and rescue operations include the Federal road Safety Corps (FRSC), FCT Vehicle Inspection Officials (VIO) the Nigeria Police, among others.