RismadarVoice Reporters, May 19, 2026
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has directed a comprehensive investigation into the collapse of a building under construction in Abuja that claimed five lives and left several others injured.
The minister also ordered the immediate closure of the affected construction site as authorities intensify efforts to determine the cause of the incident.
The three-storey structure reportedly collapsed on Saturday morning in the Durumi 3 area near Gudu Market within the Abuja Municipal Area Council, trapping workers and occupants beneath the rubble.
During a visit to the scene, Wike described the incident as tragic and expressed concern over the loss of lives, stressing that government agencies would take decisive action against those found responsible.
Preliminary reports from officials indicated that while five persons lost their lives, rescue operations succeeded in pulling several others alive from the debris.
According to the minister, the Department of Development Control has already sealed the site while enforcement measures, including arrests, have commenced.
He disclosed that one engineer connected with the project had already been taken into custody, adding that authorities would also move against the developer behind the project.
Wike said a panel would be established to conduct a detailed review of the circumstances surrounding the collapse and determine whether building regulations or safety standards were violated.
He warned developers against disregarding regulatory oversight, stressing that attempts to obstruct officials responsible for monitoring construction activities often create conditions that lead to avoidable disasters.
The minister further emphasised the importance of compliance with technical requirements such as soil analysis, structural assessments and the use of approved building materials before construction begins.
He noted that questions surrounding the quality of construction materials and the suitability of the site for the proposed structure would form part of the investigation.
Wike stressed that protecting lives and property remains a fundamental responsibility of government, lamenting the human cost of the incident and describing the loss of life as irreplaceable.
Authorities are expected to continue investigations while rescue and recovery efforts at the site proceed.
