Tragedy Strikes in FCT: 7 Scavengers Lose Their Lives at the Demolition Site
Written by Noble People Crew on 28 October 2024
The FCT Emergency Management Department (FEMD) has reported the recovery of seven bodies from a demolished building site in Sabon Lugbe, Abuja, following a tragic incident involving iron scavengers. Abdulrahman Mohammed, FEMD Director, informed the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the deceased were part of a group of over 500 scavengers who had invaded the site, attempting to remove iron rods. Their activity caused a remaining section of the slab to collapse on them, resulting in multiple fatalities. Two additional individuals are currently receiving medical treatment at the Federal Medical Centre.
Mohammed expressed disappointment at the persistence of scavengers, who continue to swarm other demolition sites despite the incident. He confirmed that the building involved was an uncompleted, illegal structure recently demolished by the FCT Department of Development Control, contrary to some media reports suggesting the collapse of a multi-storey building with over 40 people trapped.
“The scavengers entered to retrieve iron rods, leading to the caving in of what remained of the structure,” said Mohammed, who noted that no one was residing in the building as alleged. He added that the Chairman of Miyetti Allah in Abuja Municipal Area Council confirmed the loss of five members in the incident.
Despite the tragedy, scavengers continue to comb the site for iron rods, ignoring instructions to leave. Mohammed stated, “By Monday, Development Control will ensure any remaining structures are completely demolished.”
A police officer on-site, speaking anonymously, dismissed claims of a multi-storey building collapse as false. Eyewitness Aliyu Musa shared that despite warnings, some scavengers proceeded to remove materials from unstable sections, leading to the fatal accident.