By Kamsi Anayo, Awka
Seven persons have been confirmed dead and five rescued from the two buildings collapse at an estate in Vidaz Estate, Sabon Lugbe area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Mr Abdulrahman Mohammed, Acting Director General FCT Emergency Management Development, made this known on Sunday while briefing newsmen during rescue operations.
Mohammed said that rescue operations would continue till the number of victims was ascertained and warned against fake reports circulating that 40 persons were killed as a result of the building collapse.
He expressed concern over the activities of scavengers at the site, stressing that efforts were ongoing to prevent them from accessing the buildings.
According to the FCT Police spokesperson Josephine Adeh on X formerly known as Twitter, preliminary investigations revealed the buildings had partially collapsed by the FCT Authorities due to illegal acquisition.
“Our preliminary investigations reveal that the building was previously demolished by the FCT Authorities due to its location in an illegally acquired area.
“Regrettably, the structure was further compromised by scavengers who had been tampering with the remnants of scrap metal, ultimately leading to its secondary collapse,” She noted.
