Wike Orders Arrest of Owner of Collapsed Abuja Plaza

*Police: Two dead, 20 rescued from building

Kingsley Nwezeh and Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, yesterday, ordered the immediate arrest of the landlord of a two-storey building that collapsed in Lagos Crescent, Garki 2 of Abuja on Wednesday.
He gave the order after inspecting the collapsed building, where persons died while some others were rescued from the rubble, describing the incident as unfortunate.
But the police command, has confirmed that two persons died while 20 others were rescued from the collapsed.
Wike said,  “These are the things we have been saying. Nobody knows whose turn it will be, therefore, when the government says it will take action in areas we believe there are illegal developments or buildings that don’t comply with the standard codes. It is not as if anybody has any personal vendetta but for me, it is for us to do the right thing.

“When government says take a building plan, it is not to suffer anybody but to make sure that everyone is protected. Cities are planned to forestall this kind of occurrence. Imagine buildings without approval. I will ask that we identify and arrest the owner of this property. It is very important. Government will of course take over this area and make sure no further development is carried out here.

“I want all the stakeholders here to please work with the government in the interest of everybody. No one has come here to say I like A, I don’t like B. I know sometimes government decisions may not be too comfortable with the people, but, in the long run, it is in the interest of the people. Now we are all gathered here and none of us is happy we are here, these are the things we are trying to forestall.”
He also directed the FCT Permanent Secretary, Olusade Adesola, to immediately ensure that funds were raised to pay the hospital bills of those who were rescued.

The Director of Development Control, Muktar Galadima, said the building that caved in had no development approval while the residents of the particular Garki 2 settlement were meant to be resettled in Apo.
However, the FCT Police Command, which dispatched specialised search and rescue teams to the scene and ensure the safety of all, said, “The command has deployed every effort to locate and extricate those who are trapped. So far, 20 persons have been rescued from the scene while two others unfortunately lost their lives.

“We are working in close coordination with other relevant agencies, including the fire service, emergency medical services, and disaster response teams to streamline our rescue efforts.”
A statement issued by the spokesperson of the command and Superintendent of Police (SP), Josephine Adeh, said the the Commissioner of Police, Haruna Garba, visited the site to assess the situation and to extend condolences to the affected families.
He appreciated other rescue workers for the tremendous support from the community and local volunteers, who had come forward to assist in the rescue operation.
“The CP extends his thoughts and prayers to the victims and their families and urges members of the public to steer clear of the incident area to facilitate the ongoing rescue efforts and to allow emergency personnel work without hindrance,” it said.