‘It’s touching to lose precious lives’ — Buhari speaks on collapsed building

President Muhammadu Buhari has sympathised with families of victims who lost their lives in the three-storey building that collapsed at Ita-Faaji, Lagos Island.

Speaking through Femi Adesina, his special adviser on media and publicity, the president said he is extremely saddened by the incident which left fatalities, particularly children.

The building, which houses a primary school on the second floor, caved in on Wednesday morning while pupils were in their classrooms.

At least 12 persons, including nine children, have been confirmed dead.

Officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and other rescue officials had rescued some of the children trapped in the building, while those who sustained injuries among the pupils were taken to the hospital.

The president wished the families God’s comfort and the injured speedy and complete recovery.

“It touches one to lose precious lives in any kind of mishap, particularly, those so young and tender,” the statement read.

“May God grant everyone affected by this sad incident fortitude and succour,”

Buhari commiserated with the Lagos state government and pledged assistance of the federal government as may be required by the state.

The president charged the state government to do “all that is needful, so that such tragic developments do not recur in future. “