John Ogunsemore
The Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency in Plateau, Sunday Àbdu has confirmed that 17 persons have died in Friday’s school building collapse in Busa Buji, Jos North LGA of the state.
Abdu confirmed this to newsmen after the day’s evacuation activities.
Daily Sun reported that the two-storey building of Saints Academy, a secondary school, collapsed around 8:30 am as students and teachers settled down for the day’s activities.
“We have finished the rescue mission at least for today. We are just closing from the site.
“The fact remains that the casualty figures keep changing. In Bingham University Teaching Hospital Jos, there are 13 dead bodies and 43 persons receiving medical attention.
“In OLA Specialist Hospital, we have over 40 receiving attention. In Plateau Specialists Hospital, we have four dead bodies with 40 people receiving treatment.
“We also have some casualties who were evacuated to the Jos University Teaching Hospital but I don’t have the figure at the moment.”
Additionally, Plateau State Commissioner for Information, Musa Ashoms disclosed that 120 persons were trapped under the rubble.
He said this in a statement while giving an update on the incident.
Ashoms said the Plateau State Government was deeply saddened by the collapse and attendant loss of lives and injuries sustained by students and teachers.
“The government describes the incident as an avoidable tragedy, citing the school’s weak structure and unsafe location near a riverbank.
“However, we commend the efforts of NEMA, SEMA, Red Cross and security agencies in rescuing trapped children and transporting them to hospitals,” he said.
“The Commissioner of Health has also ordered all major hospitals in Jos to attend to the victims.
“Approximately 120 people were trapped, with many evacuated.
“The government emphasises the importance of adhering to safety standards, making Executive Order 003 sacrosanct.
“Schools with similar issues are urged to close down, enabling the Jos Metropolitan Development Board to prevent future incidents,” he added.