The events of July 12 will forever haunt the memories of those connected to Saints Academy in Busa Buji, Jos North, Plateau State. A devastating building collapse at the school disrupted what was supposed to be a joyous end to the academic session, marked by speech and prize-giving activities.
As students prepared for their third-term promotion exams scheduled for July 15, disaster struck. The two-story building housing the secondary section of the school collapsed, affecting 154 people. Tragically, 22 students lost their lives, and 132 others were injured. Out of the 284 secondary students and 145 primary pupils, 97 of the injured have been treated and discharged.
The pain of loss is palpable. Mrs. Saleh, a resident of Sabon Layi, mourns her two children, Abdulraheem and Fatima Suleiman Saleh, who perished in the collapse. Speaking through her grief, she said, “I lost two children. The pain is too much to bear.”
Joy Chinecherem, another parent, recounts her panic and relief. “I was at home when I heard about the collapse. My eldest was home, but my two daughters were at school. I rushed to find them. One was at Bingham University Teaching Hospital, and the other was unharmed and had gone home. I thank God my children are safe, but I mourn with the other parents.”
Mrs. Kelvin, a teacher at the school, narrowly escaped through a window. “I was in the staff room when I heard a loud noise. Dust filled the room, and we tried to run, but the door was jammed. We jumped through a window. All teachers survived, though some were treated for shock. My nephew, who was in JSS 2, was trapped but rescued alive.”
In response to the tragedy, the State Government has closed the school and launched an investigation. Mrs. Kelvin expressed, “I don’t care about the closure; it’s the children who lost their lives that break my heart. I trust God will see us through this.”
Professor Samson Duna, Director General of the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI), revealed that preliminary reports indicated the building was distressed and constructed with weak materials. An investigative committee, led by Professor Frederick Job from the University of Jos, found that the building’s concrete and steel reinforcement were inadequate.
The NBRRI is committed to holding those responsible accountable and ensuring thorough integrity tests on all distressed buildings in the area.
