Seven iron scavengers die in Abuja building collapse

The FCT Emergency Management Department reported the recovery of seven bodies from the site of a demolished building in Sabon Lugbe, Abuja.

According to the department’s Director, Mr. Abdulrahman Mohammed, over 500 iron scavengers invaded the site to retrieve iron rods, causing the remains of a demolished slab to collapse on them.

Two other victims are currently receiving medical care at the Federal Medical Centre.

Mohammed clarified that contrary to reports, this incident was not due to a multi-storey building collapse. The structure was among several illegal buildings demolished by the FCT Department of Development Control last Thursday. Rescue operations have since concluded at the site.

“The scavengers invaded the site in a bid to get iron rods when the remaining part of the demolished structure caved in.

“Nobody is living in the building as claimed by reports.

“We were here last night and we are here today again. The Chairman of Miyetti Allah in the Abuja municipal was here with us and he confirmed that they lost five of their members in the incident.

“As you can see, nobody is fighting here as claimed by some people,” he said

Mohammed expressed his disappointment at the activities of the scavengers, who were still ravaging other demolished buildings despite the tragic incidence

“Right now as we speak, some of them are still up there scavenging iron rods, they have been asked to leave but they have refused to listen.

“We are going to ensure that they leave the site. By Monday, the Development Control will come around to ensure that the remaining buildings are brought down completely,’ he said.

A Police Officer at the site told NAN that the scavengers invaded the site after the Development Control Dept. had completed the demolition exercise.

The officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity said the media report on collapsed multi-storey building trapping over 40 people was fake.

An eyewitness, Mr Aliyu Musa, said the iron scavengers were warned not to go into the building, but they refused to listen.

“I know one of the deceased, we warned him but he did not listen. He climbed the slab and started hitting the iron when it suddenly fell, and he died,” he said.

NAN