A building earlier sealed by the Department of Development Control has collapsed on Abidjan Street, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja, with emergency agencies commencing search and rescue operations.
The FCT Police Command said it received a distress call concerning the incident at about 7:45pm on Monday.
A statement by the command’s spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, said a police response team was immediately deployed to the scene.
Adeh said the team was joined by personnel of the National Emergency Management Agency, Federal Road Safety Corps, Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, Federal Fire Service, Security Service Department, Federal Capital Territory Administration and other relevant emergency agencies in the rescue operation.
Adeh said preliminary findings showed that the building had previously been marked and sealed by the Department of Development Control.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the building has earlier been marked and sealed by the Department of Development Control, Abuja,” Adeh said.
She added that no casualty had been confirmed as of the time of the statement, while search operations continued to determine whether anyone was trapped beneath the rubble.
“So far, no victims have been confirmed. However, search and rescue operations are still ongoing to identify and rescue any persons who may be trapped in the rubble,” she said.
The command said an investigation was also underway to establish the circumstances surrounding the collapse and its possible cause.
“Investigation is still ongoing to determine the circumstances and possible cause of the building collapse,” the statement added.
The police urged residents to remain calm and security-conscious and to avoid the affected area to allow emergency responders to carry out rescue operations effectively.
The command also advised members of the public to promptly report suspicious activities or emergencies through its emergency lines.