In Plateau State, a tragic school building collapse in Busa Buji, Jos North Local Government Area, has resulted in 22 fatalities and 132 injuries (casualties still counting), according to the Plateau State Government.
Musa Ashoms, the Plateau State Commissioner for Information and Communication, provided this update in a statement on Friday evening. “As of 6:00 pm, 154 people have been rescued from the debris. Sadly, 22 individuals have been confirmed deceased,” Ashoms stated. “Injured students and staff are receiving medical treatment at various hospitals across Jos.”
Ashoms visited the site of the collapse, where a two-story structure housing 200 individuals, out of the school’s 400 students, had collapsed. Emergency workers quickly transported survivors to hospitals.
To ensure victims receive immediate care, the government has instructed all major hospitals in Jos to prioritize their treatment, waiving any documentation or payment requirements.
Governor Barrister Mutfwang has specifically directed hospitals to accommodate all those affected by the collapse.
Ashoms noted that the collapsed building did not meet construction standards and urged schools with similar issues to close down. “You can see that it is by the river bank and, from your eye evaluation, you know that it is not a very strong structure,” he said.
He emphasized the importance of compliance with building plans to prevent further tragedies, mentioning that a committee has been established to inspect other schools.
Building collapses are not uncommon in Nigeria, where enforcement of construction standards is often lax, and substandard materials are frequently used.
In 2021, 45 people died when a high-rise under construction collapsed in Lagos’ Ikoyi district. The following year, ten people were killed in a three-story building collapse in Lagos’ Ebute-Metta area.
Since 2005, at least 152 buildings have collapsed in Lagos, according to research from a South African university.
Poor workmanship, unprofessional, low-grade materials, and corruption allowing construction without proper oversight are common factors in these disasters.
