By Seyi Babalola
Musa Ashoms, the Plateau Commissioner for Information and Communication, has revealed that around 200 students are trapped in the collapsed Jos school building.
The Saints Academy, a secondary school in Jos, collapsed on Friday as pupils were writing their third-term exams.
Ashoms, who visited the scene with other commissioners, including the commissioner of secondary education, estimated that the school had a total population of roughly 400.
The commissioner stated that a portion of the fallen school housed around 200 students.
“The collapsed building has resulted in casualties, and injured students are still being evacuated to hospitals.
“We cannot, however, ascertain the exact number of casualties until the evacuation is completed. The emergency workers are doing a lot in the rescue efforts.
“The Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has urged the medical personnel in the hospitals to ensure that they save the lives of survivors.
“They should not ask for money or anything because this is an emergency situation,” he said.
However, the commissioner stated that the tragedy highlighted the need for the state government’s order 003, which was intended to compel the execution of the Greater Jos Master Plan and prevent similar sad incidents.
According to him, the collapsed school building, which was erected in a soggy environment, plainly failed to follow construction requirements.
Ashoms stated that the Jos Metropolitan Development Board would guarantee that substandard structures were demolished while continuing works would now adhere to requirements.