By Odita Sunday
The FCT Police Command has launched a search and rescue operation following the collapse of a building on Abidjan Street, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja, revealing that the structure had earlier been marked and sealed by the Department of Development Control.
The Police Public Relations Officer, FCT Command, SP Josephine Adeh, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, saying the Command received a distress call about the incident at about 7:45 p.m.
Adeh said a police response team led by the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Department of Operations, ACP Edward Akaniyene, and the Area Commander, Metro, ACP Georgelyn Ufomadu, promptly mobilised to the scene.
She said the police team joined personnel from 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 emergency agencies to commence search and rescue operations.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the building has earlier been marked and sealed by the Department of Development Control, Abuja,” Adeh said.
The police spokesperson said no victim had so far been confirmed, but noted that rescue teams were continuing to search through the rubble to determine whether anyone was trapped inside.
She added that investigations were underway to establish the circumstances surrounding the collapse and determine its possible cause.
Adeh urged residents to remain calm and security-conscious while advising members of the public to keep away from the affected area to avoid obstructing rescue operations.
She also called on residents to cooperate with emergency responders as the search operation continues.
The Command urged members of the public to report suspicious activities and emergencies through its emergency lines, 08032003913 and 0806158198.
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