JUST IN: Four dead, 12 injured as three-storey building collapses in Abuja

At least four people have been confirmed dead, while 12 others sustained injuries after a three-storey building under construction collapsed on Saturday morning in the Gudu area of the federal capital territory (FCT), Abuja.

The building reportedly collapsed around 9:45 a.m. near Gaduwa Estate in the Durumi 3 axis close to Gudu Market.

In a statement, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said it received a distress alert shortly after the incident and immediately activated emergency responders for search-and-rescue operations.

According to NEMA, “At the time of this report, the operation is still ongoing. However, sixteen (16) casualties have so far been evacuated to Asokoro General Hospital out of which, four (4) were confirmed dead,” the statement said.

Emergency responders, health officials, security personnel, and volunteers remain at the scene as efforts continue to rescue those who may still be trapped beneath the rubble.

Authorities said rescue operations would continue until everyone believed to be trapped has been accounted for.

Earlier, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, mandate secretary of the FCTA Health Services and Environment Secretariat, disclosed that FCT minister Nyesom Wike had directed that all injured victims receive free medical treatment.

More to come.