A four-storey building connected to the Westbrook Hotel in Abuja’s Garki area collapsed on Monday night, leaving many people trapped inside. The building, which is reportedly owned by a former governor from a South Eastern state, is said to have trapped dozens of people, with fears that some may have died in the collapse.

An eyewitness, who wished to remain anonymous, described the scene as chaotic, with rescue operations ongoing but lacking coordination. “There is a possibility that there could be some people inside the collapsed building who may have died,” the eyewitness said. “I saw two people being pulled out from the rubble now and taken to the hospital while rescue operations are ongoing. The emergency responders are not coordinated yet for efficient operations.”

The eyewitness reported seeing two individuals being rescued from the debris and taken to the hospital, but fears remain that many more may still be trapped inside the building. The collapse is believed to have occurred due to heavy rainfall in the area, which may have weakened the structure of the building.

Rescue operations are currently underway, with emergency responders working to search for survivors and recover those trapped in the rubble. However, the lack of coordination among responders is hindering the efficiency of the operation.

The incident has raised concerns about the safety of buildings in the area, with many calling for greater scrutiny of construction standards and enforcement of building codes. The identity of the former governor who owns the Westbrook Hotel has not been disclosed, but the incident is likely to spark a wider investigation into the collapse and any potential negligence or wrongdoing.

As the rescue operation continues, the full extent of the damage and the number of casualties remains unclear. However, it is clear that the collapse of the four-storey building in Abuja’s Garki area has resulted in a major emergency, with many lives at risk.