FCT Collapsed Building: Police Confirm 2 Deaths, As Wike Orders Arrest Of Owner

The Nigerian Police say two persons died in the building that collapsed along Lagos Street, Nsukka Street junction, Garki Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, late Wednesday evening.

The police made the disclosure during the visit of the FCT Commissioner, CP Haruna G. Garba, noting that 20 persons were rescued from the rubbles. 

"We are working in close coordination with other relevant agencies, including the Fire Service, Emergency Medical Services, and disaster response teams to streamline our rescue efforts," CP Garba said. 

Meanwhile, FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has ordered the immediate arrest of the owner of the collapsed building.

He gave the order when he visited the sight for an on-the-spot assessment, Thursday. 

“When the government says take building plan, it is not to suffer anybody but to make sure that everyone is protected. Cities are planned to forestall this kind of occurrence. Imagine buildings without approval. I will ask that we identify and arrest the owner of this property. It is very important.

Wike who thanked first responders for doing a good job, also declared that the medical bills of the injured will be offset by the FCT without any delay. 

“It is not what we contemplated. Let me thank the agencies that have supported us to rescue not less than 32 lives. Unfortunately, we lost two lives.

“I will appeal to the permanent secretary to make sure that funds are raised to pay the hospital bills of those who were rescued, so that we do not lose any more people, and this should be done immediately.

He used the opportunity of the visit to reiterate FCT's position on illegal structures, noting that no one is pursuing any personal vendetta. He insisted however, that any building found wanting will be pulled down. 

“Secondly, these are the things we have been saying, nobody knows whose turn it will be, therefore when the government says it will take actions in areas we believe there are illegal developments or buildings that don’t comply with the standard codes. It is not as if anybody has any personal vendetta but for me, it is for us to do the right thing,” he said.

The Minister disclosed that he is set to immediately resettle natives of Garki villages in order for government to plan out new areas. 

“Government will of course take over this area and make sure no further development is carried out here. I want all the stakeholders here to please work with the government in the interest of everybody. No one has come here to say I like A, I do not like B.

“I know sometimes government decisions may not be too comfortable with the people, but in the long run, it is in the interest of the people. Now we are all gathered here and none of us is happy we are here, these are the things we are trying to forestall."