The Cable Nigeria News: Wike orders probe into Abuja building collapse, seals off premises
Published on: 05/19/2026
By Janefrances Chibundu
Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has ordered a full investigation into the building collapse in Abuja.
At least five people were killed on Saturday morning, after a three-storey building under construction in the Durumi 3, near Gudu market in Abuja, collapsed.
Ten people were also injured while one person was rescued alive after spending more than nine hours under the rubble.
Speaking on Monday while visiting the scene of the incident, Wike said the department of development control had already sealed off the premises
He described the collapse as “very pathetic” noting that the engineer linked to the building had been arrested while the developer of the site would also be apprehended.
“From the report I got, we lost four people and some lives were saved. It’s very pathetic. Nobody is happy when you lose somebody,” he said.
Wike said a panel would be constituted to determine the cause of the collapse, and that the FCT administration would not compromise on residents’ safety.
The minister said the department of development control would conduct preliminary investigations pending the panel’s findings.
He warned developers against preventing officials of the Federal Capital Development Administration (FCDA) from carrying out routine inspections of construction sites.
“The Department of Development Control has sealed off the premises. We are going to set up a panel to really look at what happened. One of the engineers has been arrested already. From there, we’ll get to the developer, and the developer will also be arrested,” he said.
Wike noted that some developers often resort to blackmail whenever government agencies attempt to enforce compliance with building regulations.
The minister further noted the need for strict adherence to building standards, including soil tests and the use of quality materials.
He added that the protection of lives and property remained the government’s responsibility.
“Sometimes when we come to a site like this, the press has not been kind to us. Instead of finding out why government is taking that decision, some people will go to blackmail government officials,” he said.
“In construction of buildings, we must know the quality. What materials are they using? Are they doing the soil test? What is the result of the soil test? Can it allow for two floors or three floors? All these are very key.”
At least five people were killed on Saturday morning, after a three-storey building under construction in the Durumi 3, near Gudu market in Abuja, collapsed.
Ten people were also injured while one person was rescued alive after spending more than nine hours under the rubble.
Speaking on Monday while visiting the scene of the incident, Wike said the department of development control had already sealed off the premises
He described the collapse as “very pathetic” noting that the engineer linked to the building had been arrested while the developer of the site would also be apprehended.
“From the report I got, we lost four people and some lives were saved. It’s very pathetic. Nobody is happy when you lose somebody,” he said.
Wike said a panel would be constituted to determine the cause of the collapse, and that the FCT administration would not compromise on residents’ safety.
The minister said the department of development control would conduct preliminary investigations pending the panel’s findings.
He warned developers against preventing officials of the Federal Capital Development Administration (FCDA) from carrying out routine inspections of construction sites.
“The Department of Development Control has sealed off the premises. We are going to set up a panel to really look at what happened. One of the engineers has been arrested already. From there, we’ll get to the developer, and the developer will also be arrested,” he said.
Wike noted that some developers often resort to blackmail whenever government agencies attempt to enforce compliance with building regulations.
The minister further noted the need for strict adherence to building standards, including soil tests and the use of quality materials.
He added that the protection of lives and property remained the government’s responsibility.
“Sometimes when we come to a site like this, the press has not been kind to us. Instead of finding out why government is taking that decision, some people will go to blackmail government officials,” he said.
“In construction of buildings, we must know the quality. What materials are they using? Are they doing the soil test? What is the result of the soil test? Can it allow for two floors or three floors? All these are very key.”