Tragedy Strikes as School Building Collapse Claims 22 Lives in Jos, Plateau State

Tragedy struck in Plateau State as a school building collapse claimed the lives of 22 individuals in Jos, sending shockwaves through the community. The Executive Secretary of the state Emergency Management Agency, Sunday Abdu, initially confirmed 17 fatalities, but a subsequent update from the state Commissioner for Information, Musa Ashoms, raised the death toll to 22.

The incident occurred at Saint Academy, situated in the Busa Buji community in Jos North Local Government Area, leaving at least 154 individuals with varying degrees of injuries. Emergency responders have been engaged in rigorous search and rescue operations ever since the collapse unfolded.

The Plateau State Government swiftly activated emergency protocols post-incident, mobilizing a collaborative effort involving NEMA, SEMA, the Red Cross, security agencies, and medical professionals to assist in the operation.

With the rescue mission ongoing, casualties being treated in several hospitals include 39 at Plateau State Specialist Hospital, 32 at Our Lady of Apostles Hospital, 55 at Bingham University Teaching Hospital, and six at Jos University Teaching Hospital. The total count stands at 132 admitted individuals and 22 tragic deaths, amounting to 154 victims.

Reacting to the catastrophe, President Bola Tinubu expressed heartfelt grief over the school building collapse, terming it a massive loss for the nation and a devastating occurrence. Similarly, Governor Caleb Mutfwang extended deep sympathies to the affected families, noting the solemnity of the situation.