Two rescued as building under construction collapses in Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD) says two people have been rescued from a collapsed building in Abuja.

In a statement on Saturday, Florence Wenegieme, FEMD acting director-general, said the building collapsed on Friday evening.

Wenegieme said the collapsed building was a duplex under construction located at Close 10, Drive 5, second gate of Prince and Princess Estate, Gudu District.

She said FEMD alerted the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the FCT fire service immediately after it received a distress call about the incident.

The FEMD acting director-general said the construction workers ran out of the building when they noticed that building was going to collapse.

She added that the two people rescued were in a detached bungalow behind the building when the incident happened.

“The trapped workers were rescued by the FEMD search and rescue team, who cut through the window protectors and pulled them out,” she said.

Emphasising construction safety, Wenegieme urged developers and homeowners to prioritize following building codes, including professional assessments of existing buildings before renovations begin and proper safety gear for workers.

She also called for insurance coverage for both the building and the workers.