The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Emergency Management Department (FEMD) has confirmed the recovery of seven bodies of iron scavengers who entered the site of a recently demolished building in Sabon Lugbe, Abuja.
The department’s director, Abdulrahman Mohammed, disclosed this on Sunday, noting that two other individuals are receiving medical care at the Federal Medical Centre.
According to Mohammed, over 500 iron scavengers stormed the demolished building site to collect iron rods, which led to the collapse of the remaining structure, trapping several individuals. “The scavengers invaded the site in a bid to get iron rods when the remaining part of the demolished structure caved in. Nobody was living in the building as some reports claimed,” he clarified.
Mohammed also refuted media reports suggesting that a multi-story building had collapsed, trapping over 40 people. He explained that the building was one of several unauthorized structures demolished by the FCT Department of Development Control last Thursday.
Despite the tragic incident, scavengers continued to search for iron rods in the rubble of other demolished buildings. Mohammed expressed frustration over their persistence, stating, “Some of them are still scavenging iron rods despite being told to leave. We will ensure they vacate the site, and on Monday, Development Control will complete the demolition of any remaining structures.”
A police officer on the scene corroborated Mohammed’s account, dismissing claims of a multi-storey collapse as inaccurate. Local witness Aliyu Musa noted that the scavengers were repeatedly warned not to enter the building, but some ignored the warnings. “I know one of the deceased. We warned him, but he did not listen,” he said.
The FCT Emergency Management Department has completed its rescue operations at the site.
