Police in Federal Capital Territory have confirmed that two people lost their lives while 20 persons were rescued from the scene of a two-storey plaza that collapsed in Abuja.
It had been reported that at least two persons have been confirmed dead as a two-storey plaza located at Lagos street, Garki Village in the Garki District of the nation’s capital, Abuja collapsed.
The building collapsed late Wednesday night amid heavy downpour.
However, the command’s spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh in a statement on Wednesday, noted that Police is working in close coordination with other relevant agencies, including the Fire Service, Emergency Medical Services, and disaster response teams to streamline their rescue efforts.
The PPRO said the CP extends his thoughts and prayers to the victims and their families and urges members of the public to stay clear of the incident area to facilitate the ongoing rescue efforts and to allow emergency personnel work without hindrance.
“In response to the unfortunate incident of a collapsed two-storey building along Lagos Street, by Nsukka Street junction, Garki Abuja, in the early hours of the day, the FCT Police Command swiftly responded to the emergency, dispatching specialized search and rescue teams to the scene to save lives and ensure the safety of all those affected.
The statement reads in part; “The Command has deployed every effort to locate and extricate those who are trapped. So far, 20 persons have been rescued from the scene while 2 others unfortunately lost their lives. 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.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Haruna G. Garba, psc, personally visited the site to assess the situation and to extend condolences to the affected families. He appreciated the people for the tremendous support from the community and local volunteers who have come forward to assist in the rescue operation.
“The CP extends his thoughts and prayers to the victims and their families and urges members of the public to stay clear of the incident area to facilitate the ongoing rescue efforts and to allow emergency personnel work without hindrance,” the statement added.
