President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sadness over the building collapse incident at Ita -Faji area of Lagos, which left no fewer than 100 children dead on Wednesday.
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, Buhari sympathised with the parents and relations of the deceased, wishing them God’s comfort.
He also wished the injured a quick recovery.
“It touches one to lose precious lives in any kind of mishap, particularly those so young and tender. May God grant everyone affected by this sad incident fortitude and succour,” President Buhari said.
The President, however, has tasked the Lagos State Government to do everything possible to prevent re-occurrence of such a tragic incident.
Similarly, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has expressed deep grief over the tragedy.
My thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of pupils caught up in the collapse of the three-storey building at Ita Faji, Lagos Island. No resource should be spared in rescuing the trapped and treating the injured. https://t.co/58IU6J10Gp
— Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) March 13, 2019
He advised relevant authorities to deploy all available resources to ensure the injured are rescued and treated.
Speaker of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki also commiserated with families of the victims involved in the crash.
My heartfelt prayers are with all the families affected by today’s building collapse in the Ita-Faaji area of Lagos Island, particularly the young school children who are reportedly trapped inside. I pray for their safe rescue. https://t.co/ysTE8s7M2V
— Abubakar Bukola Saraki (@bukolasaraki) March 13, 2019
They both reacted through their verified twitter handles.
3 storey building collapses at Itafaji, Lagos Island. Efforts are in progress to rescue victims still trapped in the rubble. #TheGoodGuys pic.twitter.com/uaUe41ao4K
— Rapid Response Squad (@rrslagos767) March 13, 2019
While Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Idiat Adebule advised parents and guardians to allow the rescue workers do their jobs, not less than 20 pupils have been reportedly rescued to the Lagos Highland General Hospital, receiving treatments.
Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Titi Gonclaves, has confirmed that five others were receiving medical attention at other hospitals.
Meanwhile, Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, has declared that the state government would pull down buildings that failed integrity test.
Olugbenga heads the Investigations Desk at The ICIR. Do you have a scoop? Shoot him an email at oadanikin@icirnigeria.org. Twitter Handle: @OluAdanikin