A three-storey building located on Abidjan Street in Wuse Zone 4, Abuja, collapsed on Monday evening, September 7, 2026, triggering an immediate rescue operation by multiple emergency agencies. The collapse occurred barely hours after the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s (FCTA) Development Control Department had sealed the structure and directed occupants to vacate the premises over safety concerns.
The FCT Police Command received a distress call about the collapse at approximately 7:45 p.m. on Monday. A police response team led by the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Department of Operations, ACP Edward Akaniyene, and the Area Commander, Metro, ACP Georgelyn Ufomadu, responded promptly.
Men of the Federal Capital Territory Fire Service arrived to conduct rescue operations, while three ambulances were stationed at the location to provide emergency medical assistance. Personnel from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Security Service Department, and other emergency response agencies have also joined the search and rescue operation.
According to officials, the FCTA Development Control Department sealed the building earlier on Monday and issued a quit notice to its occupants after the structure showed signs of distress. Preliminary investigations by the police confirmed that the Department of Development Control had previously marked and sealed the building.
Lere Olayinka, media aide to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, confirmed the collapse and stated that a rescue operation was underway. The circumstances surrounding the collapse and whether there are casualties remain unconfirmed.
As of the time of reporting, no casualties had been confirmed, although search and rescue operations were continuing to determine whether anyone is trapped beneath the rubble. The police said an investigation was also underway to establish the circumstances surrounding the collapse and its possible cause.
The incident has again drawn attention to the safety of ageing and distressed buildings in the city, particularly structures that regulatory authorities had earlier flagged. The police urged residents to remain calm, avoid the affected area and cooperate with emergency responders to facilitate the rescue operation. The command also advised members of the public to promptly report suspicious activities or emergencies through its emergency lines: 08032003913 and 08061581938.
This is not the first building collapse in Abuja. In April 2026, a two-storey building collapsed in the Jikwoyi area, prompting the Minister to order the owner's arrest. In December 2024, the popular Samsung building at Banex Junction, Wuse 2, collapsed, injuring four workers. The recurring incidents have raised concerns about enforcement of building codes and the safety of structures in the nation’s capital.
The winners: emergency responders working to rescue any trapped individuals, and the FCTA, which took proactive measures to seal the building before the collapse. The losers: the occupants who ignored the quit notice and may have been trapped; and the property owner, who faces potential legal consequences.
Bottom Line: A sealed building in Abuja collapsed hours after occupants were ordered to leave. The authorities acted, but the order was ignored. The question is whether this will be a wake-up call for enforcement or just another statistic.