Business owners have been left counting their losses following the collapse of a two-storey building at Lagos Street, Garki Village, Abuja.
The building said to be a plaza caved in around 11.30 pm on Wednesday following a heavy downpour, it was learnt.
Confirming the incident on Thursday morning, the FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said 37 persons had been evacuated, out of which two died.
Some of the victims said that they lost their investments and properties to the incident, and called for government support.
One of them, Ms. Glory Perekeme, who operates a restaurant and a bar at the building, said she lost about N5 million as she could not take anything from her restaurant.
“I closed for business around 10:00 p.m. and was on my way home when I received a call that the building had collapsed and my investment gone.
“I am still in shock, and I don’t even know where to start from.
“I really need assistance. Government should come to our aid so we can start all over again,” she told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Another victim, Mrs Ann Anyi, who owned a laundry and sells shoes, said that she lost everything to the incident.
“I have been crying since I got the news of the incident in the midnight.
“I am just hoping that when the rescue operation is over, I will be able to salvage something from the rubbles,” she said.
Meanwhile, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has ordered the arrest of the owner of the building.
Wike, who gave the order when he visited the scene of the incident on Thursday, also asked the Permanent Secretary, FCT Administration, Mr Adesola Olusade, to pay the medical bills of those hospitalised.
The minister also urged the Department of Development Control, FCTA, to urgently resettle the residents of the community.
He urged stakeholders to work with government officials for the interest of everyone.
“This is what we are talking about; people just built houses without due diligence to minimum standards.
“This is why cities are planned – forestall this kind of incidents.
“I sympathise with those who lost their lives while the medical bills of those in the hospitals will be paid immediately,” he said.