SaharaReporters gathered that the building collapse scene had been barricaded with excavators mobilised to the scene by unknown persons, which has prevented the possible rescue of the trapped workers.
The rescue operation at the scene of the building collapse at Nicholas Ukachukwu’s Praco Limited Estate in Abuja has been halted by an "unknown barricade."
SaharaReporters gathered that the building collapse scene had been barricaded with excavators mobilised to the scene by unknown persons, which has prevented the possible rescue of the trapped workers.
“The collapsed building has been barricaded with excavators mobilised to the scene without room for possible rescue of trapped workers,” a source around the area told SaharaReporters on Friday night.
The source said that the building was located in a 2.9 hectare plot of land, “with more than 20 hurriedly built houses.
“Construction started less than 9 months ago and has continued to be built at breakneck speed 24 hours now-stop, despite revocation of the Right of Occupancy issued to Ukachukwu’s Praco Ltd and a Court order issued by Justice Enenche of the FCT High Court.”
SaharaReporters earlier reported that a yet-to-be-confirmed number of workers were feared dead as the building located in Guzape area of Abuja collapsed on Friday.
A source around the area had told SaharaReporters that a rescue operation was going on but had been hindered by heavy rainfall.
The source had said, “Building collapse at Nicholas Ukachukwu’s Praco Ltd Estate in Plot 458 Guzape, Abuja. Workers feared dead, Ongoing rainfall hinders rescue.”
Following the report of the barricade of the collapsed building with trapped workers inside, SaharaReporters contacted the FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Benneth Igweh, for clarification and reaction.
However, the police commissioner told SaharaReporters that no building collapsed at Nicholas Ukachukwu’s Praco Ltd Estate in Plot 458 Guzape, Abuja.
CP Igwe, who when he first answered a call from SaharaReporters said, “wait” and hung up the call, and a few minutes later, called back and said, “But there is no building collapse there. No building collapsed there.”
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