By Joke Kujenya
THE TRAGIC school building collapse in Jos has killed 22 people and injured 132 others.
The two-story Saints Academy building in Busa-Buji community, Jos North, collapsed around 8:30a.m. on Friday during a third-term exam.
The collapse trapped students, teachers, and others inside.
Mr. Musa Ashoms, the Commissioner for Information, reported that six of the injured are in critical condition and receiving treatment at various tertiary health facilities in the state.
The bodies of the deceased have been taken to local mortuaries.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State expressed deep sorrow over the incident, calling it a monumental loss for the state.
He thanked the search and rescue teams and members of the public who helped evacuate survivors from the rubble.
The governor offered condolences to the victims’ families and instructed agencies like the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Plateau State Emergency Management Agency to support the survivors.
“This is a tragic and heart-wrenching event,” said Mutfwang.
“We appreciate the timely intervention of the search and rescue teams and the public. Our thoughts are with the grieving families during this difficult time.”
Governor Mutfwang emphasized the importance of Executive Order 003, which aims to prevent similar disasters by enforcing building regulations and maintaining the Greater Jos Master Plan.
“The order is crucial to preventing Jos from becoming a slum and ensuring building compliance,” he added.
