Plateau govt confirms 22 dead, 132 hospitalised in Jos school building collapse

The Plateau State Government has confirmed a tragic incident at Saints Academy, a school in Jos, Nigeria, where a two-storey building collapsed, resulting in 22 deaths and 132 injured persons.

The injured are currently receiving treatment in various health facilities within the state, with six individuals reported to be in critical condition.

The bodies of the deceased have been taken to mortuaries.

The incident took place during the students’ third term examination at about 8:30 a.m. on Friday, trapping students, teachers, and others within the building.

Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, expressed deep sorrow over the incident, describing it as a monumental loss for the state.

He extended his sympathies to the families of the victims, acknowledging the heart-wrenching and unfortunate nature of the tragedy.

Governor Mutfwang commended the swift response of search and rescue teams and members of the public who assisted in evacuating survivors from the school premises.

He directed government agencies, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Plateau State Emergency Management Agency, to provide necessary support to the survivors.

While words may not be enough to console the grieving families during this difficult time, the governor offered prayers for comfort and strength to uphold them.

Furthermore, Governor Mutfwang emphasized the importance of Executive Order 003, which aims to prevent disasters like the school building collapse and ensure compliance with building regulations in alignment with the Greater Jos Master Plan.

The executive order is intended to safeguard citizens and prevent Jos from deteriorating into a slum, highlighting the government’s commitment to disaster prevention and urban planning.