Storey building collapse in Niger; five injured

 

There was pandemonium in Sabon Gari area of Minna, Niger state capital on Saturday afternoon as a storey building suddenly collapsed.

Though no life was lost, the sad incident sent resident of the densely populated area and commercial centre jilttery as many started running helter skelter for safety.

As at the time of going to press, five people have already been rescued though with various degrees of injuries while two others were also rescued unhurt. 

Already, Niger State Emergency Management Agency, (NSEMA)Niger State Urban Development Board, (NEMA)State Environmental Protection Agency in conjunction with the Police, Civil Defence Corps, NDLEA, Red Cross, Local Vigilante members and other volunteer groups have been drafted to the scene on a rescue mission and were still working frantically in the area.

A statement from NSEMA which confirmed the incident said, "NSEMA received a distressed call at 3:15pm. of building collapse at Sabon Gari area of minna and the agency quickly alerted responding agencies for search and rescue operations.  

"The search and rescue operations were conducted under the leadership of Nsema,  Nema,  State Urban Development Board, and State Environmental Protection Agency in conjunction with the Federal  fire service,  the police, NSCDC, NDLEA,The Redcross,  Vigilant groups and some volunteers. 

"An excavator was brought in to help in clearing the debris for possible entrapment, Nema also brought life dictating gadgets but after intensive searching for about 3 hours, no one was trapped," the statement added.

It was reliably gathered that the story building was initially for residential purposes and later converted to a warehouse.

"The warehouse was full to the brim with soft drinks of about 25 trucks, which overpowered the structure that led to its collapse.

"The owner has no approval for a change of purpose and it was also poorly constructed with substandard materials,"NSEMA further stated.

Meanwhile, the State Urban Development Board has ordered for complete demolition of the structure, which will be effected today. 

Those who sustained  injuries are now in the  hospital recuperating.