A three-storey building under construction collapsed in the Jikwoyi area of Abuja Municipal Area Council on Friday, injuring several workers and triggering a major emergency response from multiple agencies.
Confirming the incident, the FCT Emergency Management Department, FEMD, said rescue efforts are still ongoing at the site to ensure that no person remained trapped beneath the rubble.
FEMD in a statement issued by its Head of Public Affairs, Nkechi Isa, said 17 workers were on the upper floor when the structure caved in around 11am, injuring five persons and trapping a lone male at the ground level.
Isa said all six were rescued and taken to the Sisters of Nativity Hospital in Jikwoyi, where they are said to be responding to treatment.
“FEMD Search and Rescue Team say that 17 workers were on the upper floor of the building when it collapsed injuring 5 workers and trapping a lone male who was at the ground level of the building. The injured workers and the rescued trapped male have been taken to the Sisters of Nativity Hospital in Jikwoyi and are said to be responding to treatment.”
She added that personnel from NEMA, Development Control, the FCDA Engineering Department, Civil Defence, the Federal Fire Service and the FCT Police Command had all deployed to the site.
“Excavation of the incident scene is still ongoing until ground zero to ensure that no person is trapped in the rubble,” the statement said.
The Department also reported a separate fire incident at a car sales and service centre along the Kubwa Expressway in Bwari Area Council. According to FEMD Head of Search and Rescue, Monday Adie, the inferno erupted around noon at Car Earloha Chery Centre by Arab Junction.
However, no life was lost to the incident as staff of the center were said to have immediately removed vehicles within the center after failing to contain the fire using extinguishers. But, “a section of the building was completely burnt, with equipment and documents destroyed. The fire was attributed to an electrical fault.”
Also confirming the building collapse incident, the FCT Police Command said it received a distress call at about 9am on 3rd April 2026, reporting a building collapse at Jikwoyi Phase 1.
A statement by the Command’s spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, immediately mobilised personnel to the site and cordoned off the area for coordinated rescue operations in collaboration with other agencies.
According to the police, “Preliminary investigations reveal that seventeen (17) workers were actively on site at the time of the collapse. So far, eight (8) victims have been rescued from the rubble and rushed to the Sisters of the Nativity Hospital, Jikwoyi, where they are currently receiving medical attention, while nine (9) others escaped from the site unhurt. Rescue operations are still ongoing to locate and extract any other victims who may still be trapped.”
Adeh added that the CP has ordered a comprehensive investigation with the FCDA to determine the cause of the collapse.
“All individuals and authorities responsible for the approval, issuance, and inspection of the construction site will be invited for questioning as part of efforts to ensure accountability and prevent future occurrences,” the Command said.
Residents were urged to remain calm and report emergencies or suspicious activities using the Command’s emergency numbers.
