Nigeria: Several trapped as two-storey residential building collapses in Abuja

Tragedy struck early Saturday morning as a two-storey residential building collapsed in the bustling Kubwa area of Abuja, trapping an unknown number of residents under the debris. The building, located near the well-known Cupid Hotel on Cupid Road, Sultan Dasuki Way, had a storied past, originally serving as Al-Hilal Hotel before being converted into a hospital and most recently into residential apartments.

The incident has cast a pall over the local community, with emergency responders and security personnel quickly arriving at the scene. However, rescue efforts faced significant delays due to the late arrival of cranes essential for removing the heavy rubble, according to a report.

Despite these challenges, two individuals were successfully extracted from the wreckage and rushed to a nearby hospital for urgent medical attention. Additionally, a few fortunate residents managed to escape the collapse independently, though the exact number of those still trapped remains uncertain.

In that incident, a yet-to-be-confirmed number of workers were feared dead when a structure at Nicholas Ukachukwu’s Praco Limited Estate in Guzape, Abuja, gave way.

The series of building collapses has raised serious concerns about construction standards and regulatory oversight in Abuja. As rescue operations continue, the community is left grappling with the immediate aftermath and the urgent need for systemic reforms to prevent such tragedies in the future.