Dozens dead, 200 students trapped as 2-story building school collapse in Jos

Plateau Commissioner for Information and Communication, Musa Ashoms has confirmed that about 200 students were trapped in the Jos school building that collapsed in Jos.

The Saints Academy, a secondary school in Jos, collapsed on Friday while students were writing their third-term examination.

Mr Ashoms, who visited the scene in the company of other commissioners, including that of secondary education, said the school had a total population of about 400.

The commissioner said part of the school that collapsed accommodated about 200 students.

”The collapsed building has resulted in casualties, and injured students are still being evacuated to hospitals,” he said.

The commissioner, however, said the number of casualties is yet to be ascertained as evacuation is still ongoing.

“The governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has urged the medical personnel in the hospitals to ensure that they save the lives of survivors.

“They should not ask for money or anything because this is an emergency situation,” he said.

The commissioner, however, said the incident had underscored the imperative of Order 003 of the state government, which was meant to enforce the implementation of the Greater Jos Master Plan to prevent such unfortunate incidences.

According to him, the collapsed school building, built on a waterlogged area, clearly did not meet construction standards.

Mr Ashoms said the Jos Metropolitan Development Board (JMDB) would ensure that faulty buildings were brought down while ongoing construction would henceforth conform to standards.