Police confirm building had earlier been marked and sealed by Abuja development authorities as emergency agencies race to determine whether anyone is trapped under the rubble

A three-storey hotel building has collapsed on Abidjan Street, Wuse Zone 3, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, triggering a frantic search-and-rescue operation by emergency agencies.

The building reportedly collapsed at about 7:45 p.m., prompting a distress call to the FCT Police Command, which immediately mobilised personnel to the scene.

The incident has raised fresh concerns over building safety and regulatory compliance in the nation’s capital, particularly after preliminary police findings indicated that the structure had previously been marked and sealed by the Department of Development Control.

According to the FCT Police Command, officers were deployed to the location immediately after receiving the distress call as emergency agencies began efforts to secure the area and search the debris for possible survivors.

The police response team was led by the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the Department of Operations, ACP Edward Akaniyene, and the Area Commander, Metro, ACP Georgelyn Ufomadu.

They joined personnel from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Federal Fire Service (FFS), Security Service Department, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and other relevant agencies at the scene.

The rescue teams quickly commenced search operations, carefully combing through the rubble amid fears that people could have been inside the building when it collapsed.

As of press time, however, the police said no victim had been confirmed.

Emergency workers remained at the scene as the search continued, with responders working to establish whether anyone was trapped beneath the debris and to rescue possible survivors.

The fact that the building had reportedly been marked and sealed before the collapse has also become a major focus of concern. Authorities are expected to investigate how the structure remained standing and whether the regulatory measures previously imposed on it were effectively enforced.

In a statement issued by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, the Command said it was working alongside other emergency agencies to manage the situation and ensure that the search operation was conducted effectively.

The Command said further information on the extent of the damage and any possible casualties would be made available as the rescue operation progresses.

Meanwhile, an investigation has commenced to establish the circumstances surrounding the collapse and determine the possible cause of the structural failure.

Authorities are expected to examine the building’s construction history, compliance with approved plans, structural integrity and the circumstances surrounding the earlier sealing of the property.

The police have also appealed to residents and passers-by to remain calm and stay away from the affected area.

Residents were urged to cooperate with emergency responders and avoid actions that could obstruct or interfere with the rescue operation.

The collapse adds to longstanding concerns over building safety in Abuja, where authorities have repeatedly warned developers and property owners against violating construction regulations and ignoring official directives.

Emergency agencies are expected to continue the search until they are satisfied that there are no survivors or victims trapped beneath the collapsed structure.