Scores Feared Dead in Minna Warehouse Collapse, Niger State

Scores of people are feared dead in the Sabon Gari region of Minna, Niger State, following the collapse of a one-story warehouse. The tragedy occurred while two trailer loads of soft drinks were being unloaded, with over 50 individuals inside the warehouse at the bustling Kasuwan Gwari Market on Friday.

Aliyu Umaru, an eyewitness recounted how concerned citizens quickly gathered around the collapsed building to aid in the rescue efforts for the injured and trapped victims. Umaru described the harrowing scene, noting that some individuals were rescued lifeless, while others with severe injuries were promptly taken to the hospital in critical condition. He expressed doubts about the survival of one particular victim who was struggling for breath as he was being transported to the medical facility.

Umaru revealed that the building, originally a residential structure, had been converted into a warehouse by its owner, a native of Kano State, without implementing the necessary modifications to suit its new purpose.

However, the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) confirmed the incident in a statement but contended that no fatalities had occurred at the time of the incident report.

NSEMA Director General Abdullahi Baba-Arah, in a statement made available to journalists on Friday night, confirmed the incident and stated that the building would be demolished. Baba-Arah also noted that no approval was received for the conversion of the building from a residential property to a warehouse.

“NSEMA received a distress call at 3:15 p.m. about a building collapse in the Sabon Gari area of Minna. The agency quickly alerted responding agencies for search and rescue operations.

“The search and rescue operations were conducted under the leadership of NSEMA, NEMA, State Urban Development Board, and State Environmental Protection Agency in conjunction with the Federal Fire Service, the police, NSCDC, NDLEA, the Red Cross, vigilant groups, and some volunteers.

“As at the time of filing this report, no life was lost. Five people were rescued with various degrees of injuries, while two people escaped unhurt. An excavator was brought in to help clear the debris for possible entrapment, and NEMA also brought life-detecting gadgets. However, after intensive searching for about three hours, no one was found trapped,” Baba-Arah said.

NSEMA's investigation revealed that the building was originally intended for residential use but was subsequently repurposed as a warehouse without approval. The warehouse, filled to the brim with soft drinks from about 25 trucks, was poorly constructed with substandard materials, leading to its collapse. The State Urban Development Board has ordered the complete demolition of the structure.