The tragic events of July 12 will forever be etched in the memories of those connected to the Saints Academy in Busa Buji, Jos North, Plateau State.
Naija News recalls that on this fateful day, a two-storey building at the school collapsed, claiming the lives of 22 students and injuring 132 others out of 154 affected.
The school, which was gearing up for its end-of-session activities and upcoming exams, was thrown into chaos when the building gave way. Of the 132 injured, 97 have been treated and discharged.
While the deceased have been laid to rest, the emotional scars are deep, especially for families like that of Mrs. Saleh from Sabon Layi.
According to the Vanguard, she mourned the loss of her two children, Abdulraheem and Fatima Suleiman Saleh, and struggled to find words to express her grief.
Lamenting the loss with a shaky voice on the phone, she said, “I lost two children, Abdulraheem and Fatima Suleiman Saleh, they were two siblings, a boy and a girl who died due to the collapsed building. I can’t talk now; the pain is too much.”
Joy Chinecherem, another parent, expressed relief as her three children survived the disaster. She recounted how she learned of the collapse and rushed to the school and hospital, finding her daughters in varying conditions.
Though thankful for their safety, she remains haunted by the tragedy and extends her condolences to the bereaved families.
Chinecherem said, “I was at home that day when my sister called to tell me that the school building collapsed. I only heard the word but I don’t know how I got to the school because I was worried about my two children.
“My first child is in SS3 and did not have exams that day so he was at home. My two daughters were not seen immediately after I got to the school so I went to the hospital to search for them, I found one at the Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Jankwano but the other one was unhurt so she went home.
“Although my daughter has been discharged, I still shudder at the thought of what happened but can only thank God that my children are safe. I mourn the loss of the other children and I pray for God’s comfort to the parents. It will take time for this incident to be forgotten.”
Teacher’s Narrow Escape
Mrs. Kelvin, a teacher at the school, described her escape as miraculous. She was in the staff room when a deafening noise and dust enveloped the area.
The door jammed, but she and her colleagues managed to escape through a window. Although they survived, Mrs. Kelvin was treated for shock. Her nephew, trapped in the debris, was rescued alive.
Her words, “I was in the staff room when I heard a sound like a plane was passing or a heavy rain was coming. I was asking what kind of plane could make such a noise so I turned and saw the place filled with dust so the other teachers and I tried to run out of the room.
“On getting close to the entrance, the door jammed and we could not open it, so we turned towards the open window and jumped through there. All the teachers survived, and those hospitalized were treated and discharged.
“We have no corps member or no pregnant teacher; I was not in the hospital. I was only treated for shock. My nephew who was trapped in the debris survived. He was in JSS 2, the building collapsed on him but he was rescued alive.”
In response to the collapse, the State Government has closed the school and initiated an investigation. Mrs. Kelvin expressed her grief for the loss of the children but found solace in her survival, trusting that new opportunities will arise despite the tragedy.
Investigation Findings
Professor Samson Duna, Director General of the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI), revealed that preliminary inspections indicate the building was structurally compromised.
The investigation, led by Professor Frederick Job from the University of Jos, found insufficient concrete and inadequate reinforcement in the structure.
The NBRRI has called for integrity tests on nearby buildings and assured that all responsible parties will be held accountable.
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