School Building Collapse in Jos, Plateau State Claims 22 Lives
A devastating building collapse occurred on Friday, July 12, 2024, at Saint Academy in Jos, Plateau State, claiming the lives of 22 people, including a 15-year-old boy named Chidera. The young boy’s death has sent shockwaves through the community, leaving behind a grieving mother and father.
According to reports, Chidera was a loving and caring individual who looked after his family and siblings. His mother, Blessing Onovo, recalled her son’s kindness in an interview with the BBC. She said, “He saved up his lunch money to buy biscuits to share with his siblings and he was always the one who noticed my moods and would ask, ‘Mummy are you fine?'”
Chidera’s father, Chike, was relieved when his sister was pulled out from under the rubble but was left wondering about his son’s whereabouts. The boy’s body was later found in his classroom on the first floor, the BBC reports.
The building collapse occurred at about 8:30 am while students and teachers were in their respective classes. The two-storey building, which was described as looking distressed with weak materials, collapsed on the students, leaving about 154 trapped under the rubble.
According to the Federal Government’s investigative panel, the physical observation of the building revealed signs of weakness and poor construction. Another parent, Victor Dennis, lost his son, Emmanuel, to the incident. Dennis said, “My boy was a good boy. He didn’t deserve to die. They killed my son. He didn’t do anything wrong. He just went to school to learn.”
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, ordered the closure of the collapsed school and the arrest of artisanal miners operating around residential areas. The state government also declared a three-day mourning period, and the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, called for an immediate investigation into the building collapse, stating that anyone found culpable must be brought to justice.
In an interview with a correspondent, some of the survivors, who were still recovering in hospitals, recounted the horror of the collapse. An SS1 student noted that the building suddenly collapsed while they were having classes, describing the noise as so loud it felt like the world had come to an end. “I heard one of the students telling a teacher that the building was shaking but he asked the student to shut up and enter the class. Shortly after sitting down, the building caved in,” the student said.
As the investigation into the tragedy continues, the nation mourns the loss of these innocent lives and hopes that those responsible will be held accountable for their actions.
