The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has ordered the arrest of the landlord of the collapsed two-storey building.
According to reports, the FCT police announced on Thursday in a statement the deaths of two persons while 20 others have been evacuated to hospitals as the rescue operation continues.
The two-storey plaza housing many business centres collapsed around 10 pm on Wednesday at Lagos Crescent, Garki II, Abuja.
Reacting to the unfortunate incident, Wike ordered the landlord’s arrest on Thursday after inspecting the collapsed building with officers of Development Control.
According to him: “When the government says have a building plan, it is not to suffer anybody but to make sure that everyone is protected. Cities are planned to forestall these kinds of occurrences. Imagine building without approval.
“We must identify and arrest the owner of this property. It is very important. The government will, of course, take over this area and make sure no further development is carried out here.”
He also directed the FCT Permanent Secretary, Olusade Adesola, to ensure that immediate funds are raised to pay the hospital bills of those who were rescued.