22 students killed, 100 people trapped in Nigerian school collapse

A two-story school building collapsed during morning classes on Friday in north-central Nigeria, resulting in the tragic deaths of 22 students and initiating a desperate search for over 100 individuals trapped beneath the rubble, according to authorities.

The incident occurred at the Saints Academy college located in Busa Buji, a community in Plateau state. The collapse happened shortly after many of the students, most of whom were 15 years old or younger, had arrived for their classes.

Initially, 154 students were reported to be trapped under the debris. Later, Alfred Alabo, a spokesman for the Plateau police, confirmed that 132 students had been rescued and were receiving treatment for their injuries at various hospitals. Unfortunately, 22 students were confirmed dead. Earlier reports by local media had estimated at least 12 fatalities.

In the aftermath of the collapse, dozens of villagers gathered near the site, with some visibly distressed and others eager to assist. Excavators worked through the debris from the collapsed section of the building. Among the onlookers was a woman seen wailing and trying to get closer to the rubble, with others restraining her.

Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency responded swiftly, deploying rescue and health workers along with security forces to the scene to search for the trapped students. The government also issued instructions for hospitals to prioritize treatment for the injured without the need for documentation or payment, ensuring immediate medical attention.

Musa Ashoms, Plateau state’s Commissioner for Information, released a statement highlighting that the state government attributed the tragedy to the school’s weak structural integrity and its proximity to a riverbank. The government urged other schools with similar structural issues to close to prevent future incidents.

Building collapses have become alarmingly common in Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, with more than a dozen such incidents occurring over the past two years. These disasters are often blamed on inadequate enforcement of building safety regulations and poor maintenance. The state government’s response emphasized the need for stricter compliance with construction standards to avoid future tragedies.