In a devastating incident on Friday morning, tragedy struck at Saints Academy in Jos as a school building collapsed during third-term examinations, trapping approximately 200 students under debris.
The Plateau State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr. Musa Ashoms, confirmed the heartbreaking event to journalists during his visit to the site.
Accompanied by other state officials, including the Commissioner for Secondary Education, Ashoms reported that the school accommodates around 400 students, with about half of them present in the section that suffered structural failure.
Efforts are currently underway to rescue those trapped, while the exact number of casualties remains uncertain as injured students are being evacuated to local hospitals for treatment.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang has issued directives for hospital staff to prioritize the care of survivors without any immediate financial considerations, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
Ashoms highlighted the challenges related to building regulations in the area, noting that the collapsed structure was located on a waterlogged plot and did not adhere to prescribed construction standards.
This tragic incident has sparked renewed calls for strict enforcement of the Greater Jos Master Plan, particularly Order 003, which mandates adherence to building codes to prevent similar catastrophes.
The Jos Metropolitan Development Board (JMDB) has been tasked with inspecting potentially unsafe structures and ensuring that new constructions comply with safety standards to avert future disasters.
