200 students trapped under collapsed school building in Jos – Commissioner

Musa Ashoms, the Plateau Commissioner for Information and Communication, has disclosed that approximately 200 students are trapped inside the collapsed Jos school building.

The Saints Academy, a secondary school in Jos, collapsed on Friday while students were writing their third-term examinations.

Ashoms, who arrived at the scene with other commissioners, including the commissioner of secondary education, estimated that the school had a total population of around 400.

The commissioner indicated that a portion of the destroyed school housed around 200 students.

“The collapsed building has resulted in casualties, and injured students are still being evacuated to hospitals.

“We cannot, however, ascertain the exact number of casualties until the evacuation is completed. The emergency workers are doing a lot in the rescue efforts.

“The Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has urged the medical personnel in the hospitals to ensure that they save the lives of survivors.

“They should not ask for money or anything because this is an emergency situation,” he said.

However, the commissioner added that the tragedy emphasised the need for the state government’s order 003, which was issued to compel the implementation of the Greater Jos Master Plan and prevent similar tragic situations.

According to him, the collapsed school building, which was built in a damp area, clearly failed to meet construction standards.

Ashoms remarked that the Jos Metropolitan Development Board will remove substandard structures and ensure that ongoing works meet set requirements.