Tragedy strikes as seven scavengers die in Abuja building collapse

The FCT Emergency Management Department has confirmed the recovery of seven bodies of iron scavengers who entered the site of a demolished building in Sabon Lugbe, a suburb of Abuja.

Director Abdulrahman Mohammed shared this update with reporters at the scene on Sunday, noting that two additional victims are currently receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre.

According to Mohammed, the incident occurred when over 500 scavengers descended on the site to remove iron rods, causing a portion of the demolished slab to collapse.

“Rescue operations have been completed at the site,” he stated, dispelling rumors circulating in the media about a multi-storey building collapse on Saturday that allegedly left over 40 individuals trapped beneath the debris. “The building was among the illegally erected uncompleted structures demolished by the FCT Department of Development Control on Thursday.”

He explained, “The scavengers invaded the site in a bid to get iron rods when the remaining part of the demolished structure caved in. Nobody is living in the building as claimed by reports.”

Read also: Teacher suspended following student’s tragic death in Ogun State

Mohammed added, “We were here last night and we are here today again. The Chairman of Miyetti Allah in the Abuja municipal was here with us and he confirmed that they lost five of their members in the incident. As you can see, nobody is fighting here as claimed by some people.”

Expressing his frustration over the ongoing scavenging activities, he remarked, “Right now as we speak, some of them are still up there scavenging iron rods; they have been asked to leave but they have refused to listen. We are going to ensure that they leave the site. By Monday, the Development Control will come around to ensure that the remaining buildings are brought down completely.”

A police officer present at the site corroborated Mohammed’s account, stating that the scavengers invaded after the demolition was completed, and he labeled reports of a multi-storey collapse trapping over 40 people as false.

Eyewitness Mr. Aliyu Musa recounted the tragedy, saying, “I know one of the deceased; we warned him but he did not listen. He climbed the slab and started hitting the iron when it suddenly fell, and he died.”

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