Five Killed, Several Injured as Three-Storey Building Collapses in Abuja

At least five persons have been confirmed dead after a three-storey building under construction collapsed in the Gudu area of Abuja on Saturday, leaving several others injured and sparking a massive rescue operation by emergency agencies.

The building, located behind Gudu Market in the Durumi 3 axis of the Federal Capital Territory, reportedly caved in around 8:30 a.m. while construction workers were on site.

Emergency officials said rescue teams were still searching through the rubble for possible survivors hours after the incident.

Confirming the development, the Head of Public Affairs Unit of the Federal Emergency Management Department (FEMD), Nkechi Isa, said emergency responders had so far rescued 16 persons from the debris.

According to her, 11 of the rescued victims were taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja, Asokoro District Hospital and Maitama Hospital for treatment.

“Search and rescue operations are ongoing as emergency responders battle to rescue more persons trapped in the rubble of a collapsed three-storey building at the Gudu District in the FCT,” she said.

Isa added that five persons lost their lives in the incident.

She disclosed that several agencies, including the National Emergency Management Agency, Federal Fire Service, FCT Fire Service, Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army and the Federal Road Safety Corps, were involved in the rescue efforts.

Medical personnel and local volunteers were also seen assisting at the scene as anxious residents gathered around the collapsed structure.

An aide to the FCT Minister, Lere Olayinka, also confirmed the incident in a social media post, stating that at least five people had died while others were rescued alive from the rubble.

He said rescue operations were continuing as emergency workers intensified efforts to evacuate victims trapped beneath the collapsed building.

According to Olayinka, the Mandate Secretary of the FCTA Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, visited the scene and disclosed that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, had directed that all victims receive free medical treatment.

The latest incident has again raised concerns over building safety standards, regulatory compliance and the increasing cases of structural failures involving buildings under construction in parts of the country.

Residents around the area said the collapse caused panic in the neighbourhood, with many rushing to assist before the arrival of emergency responders.

As of Saturday evening, authorities had yet to disclose the possible cause of the collapse, while rescue operations continued at the site.