Undisclosed number of persons are allegedly trapped in the rubble of a collapsed four storey-building in Uyo.
The building collapsed on Saturday about 5pm at Iman Street, off Aka road; right in the heart of the Akwa Ibom State Capital.
Report says the collapsed building was meant to be a six-storey building but collapsed when the structure was at the fourth floor.
The building which was supposed to be a hotel according to live feeds from an On-Air-Personality, Edwin Ebiese popularly known as MC Governor revealed that the building was constructed with an 8mm rod.
He said, ”Look at the rod, 8mm, used in constructing a six-storey building! Now, lives have been lost.”
The OAP further disclosed that men of the State Fire Service arrived the scene at about 7:50pm but couldn’t rescue the victims trapped in the rubble, as there was no excavator to excavate the rubble and save those reportedly trapped inside.
However, residents and good spirited people who thronged to the scene of the incident appeared helpless as there was nothing they could do to save the situation.
Some of the eyewitnesses who took to social media (Facebook), shared video footage and pictures and pleaded with relevant authorities to swing into action.
In response, the Akwa Ibom State government through the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Comrade Ini Ememobong in a post on his Facebook handle late Saturday evening, disclosed that the Akwa Ibom State government through the deployment of relevant agencies have rescued four persons while rescue operation is still ongoing.
He said, ”all Critical rescue and security agencies(Police,DSS, Fire Service) are on ground with technical support from some construction Companies (JuliusBerger and Amitek).
Secretary to State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Bassey Okon and other Government officials are at the scene.
Four persons rescued and taken to the Hospital. Rescue operations still ongoing to rescue more.”
Meanwhile, the hotel collapse is second in Akwa Ibom State since Reigners Bible Church collapsed in December, 2016 and killing undisclosed number of worshippers.
