What led to the Kubwa building collapse – CP

The Commissioner of Police for the FCT Command, Benneth Igweh, has reported that all individuals trapped in the collapsed two-storey building in Kubwa, Bwari Area Council, were successfully rescued alive.

Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Igweh praised the swift response of rescue teams who meticulously cleared the rubble, confirming the safe evacuation of all victims.

Of the four individuals initially hospitalized, two have already been discharged, while one remains under further medical care at the National Hospital.

Igweh commended the quick action of Abuja residents who alerted authorities promptly upon the building’s collapse, emphasizing the importance of community vigilance.

“I was one of the first persons to arrive here early this morning when the incident happened. We ensured that all trapped victims were rescued alive. We thank God that there was no death.
“I thank the rescue teams, they have been very wonderful. We called them and they answered us.
“That is why we always tell the residents that, when you see something, you say something and when you say something, we will do something.
“The prompt response was as a result of the people who called us that this building fell. We thank the Abuja residents for the promptness, because that was what has ensured the rescue of the people,’’ he said

Stating the efforts of Zeberced, a private engineering firm, Igweh noted their crucial role in rescuing the last trapped victim, a corps member, whose survival was credited to their specialized equipment and rapid mobilization.

“We called them and they mobilised to the site, you can see their equipment. That was what helped in the rescue, because she was trapped under.’’

Zacchaeus Adebayo, Controller of the FCT Fire Service, recounted receiving distress calls at 6:30 a.m. and immediately deploying his team for rescue operations.

He urged residents to remain vigilant and report hazards early to prevent similar incidents in the future.

“That way, things will not get worse and we will begin to salvage the situation, because prevention is the best.
“They should always raise alarm, whenever they notice anything wrong around them,’’ he said

Wilson Agbonta from the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON) was present to investigate the collapse, noting signs of structural deterioration such as wall vegetation, which can indicate underlying structural issues.

He noted the need to ascertain the building’s original purpose and any subsequent alterations that may have compromised its integrity.

“This building has gone through three tenancy from hospital to hotel to residential. When this happened, we will not know how the dead and the life loads were managed.
“These are the investigations we need to carry out, because when you increase the population of a house, it affects the building.
“So, we are trying to establish what the original function of this building was and who designed it, because there are consequences for change of use.
“Once an Architect handles a design, he will appoint other consultants approved, recognised registered by the regulatory bodies in the course of the building.
“ When construction is being done, it is the Architect’s job to coordinate the process.
“So, we need to find out, if an Architect was engaged and allowed to do his job, and who authorised the change of use of the building,” he said.

The collapsed building, originally housing 45 self-contained rooms and previously serving as a hotel before conversion to other uses, has drawn attention to regulatory concerns regarding changes in building usage without proper oversight and structural assessment.