No fewer than six persons have been injured following the collapse of a two-storey building under construction in the Jikwoyi area of the Federal Capital Territory.
The incident occurred around 11 a.m. on Friday while construction workers were on site, prompting an immediate emergency response from relevant authorities.
The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department confirmed the development in a statement issued by its Head of Public Affairs, Nkechi Isa, noting that rescue efforts were swiftly activated to ensure no one remained trapped.
“Rescue operations are ongoing to ensure that no person is left trapped in the rubble of the collapsed structure,” Isa said.
According to the agency, about 17 workers were reportedly on the upper floor of the building at the time it caved in.
“Seventeen workers were on the upper level when the incident happened. Five sustained injuries, while one individual at the ground level was initially trapped but later rescued,” the statement added.
All injured victims, including the rescued male, were taken to a nearby hospital in Jikwoyi, where they are currently receiving treatment and are said to be responding well.
Emergency responders at the scene included officials from the FCT Emergency Management Department, the National Emergency Management Agency, the Department of Development Control, the Federal Capital Development Authority, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Federal Fire Service, and the FCT Police Command.
Authorities said search operations and excavation at the site are continuing to rule out the possibility of any remaining victims beneath the debris.
In a separate incident, a fire outbreak affected a car sales and service centre along the Kubwa Expressway in the Bwari Area Council.
An official involved in the response, Monday Adie, disclosed that no casualties were recorded in the fire incident.
“There was no loss of life, although a section of the building and some equipment were destroyed,” he said.
Preliminary findings indicate that the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault. Staff at the facility reportedly attempted to contain the blaze and moved vehicles out of the premises before emergency services arrived.
Authorities have since brought the situation under control while investigations continue into both incidents.
