A devastating incident occurred in central Nigeria when a two-story school building collapsed, resulting in the deaths of at least 22 people, including students. The Saint Academy school in Plateau state’s Busa Buji community crumbled on Friday, trapping 154 students, most of whom were under 16 years old. Rescue efforts ensued, with 132 students rescued and receiving medical treatment in various hospitals. The authorities confirmed that 22 students succumbed to their injuries.

The Plateau state government attributed the tragedy to the school’s weak structure and proximity to a riverbank, urging schools with similar issues to close. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) reported that 30 people remain hospitalized, and the rescue operation has concluded.

The collapse site was chaotic, with crowds gathering, and excavators combing through the debris. Building collapses are becoming increasingly common in Nigeria, with over a dozen incidents in the past two years. Authorities often cite a lack of enforcement of building safety regulations, substandard construction materials, and poor maintenance as the causes of such disasters.

This incident highlights the need for improved building safety and regulation enforcement in Nigeria to prevent such tragedies in the future.