One killed, others trapped in Enugu building collapse

One killed, others trapped in Enugu building collapse. CREDIT: NEMA

One person has died following the collapse of a four-storey uncompleted building at Independence Layout, Enugu State.

The National Emergency Management Agency confirmed that the incident occurred at about 6am on Sunday, September 13, 2026.

NEMA’s Press Unit disclosed this in a statement signed by Manzo Ezekiel and posted on its X handle.

According to the agency, its Director-General, Mrs Zubaida Umar, immediately directed the NEMA Enugu Operations Office to deploy an Emergency Rescue Team to the scene and coordinate rescue efforts with relevant stakeholders.

It said the rescue team was informed on arrival that some people were trapped beneath the rubble and immediately commenced search and rescue operations.

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“An excavator was mobilised to support the painstaking removal of debris in an effort to rescue the trapped victims.

“As of 11:20 a.m., the joint rescue team successfully recovered the lifeless body of one male victim from the collapsed structure,” NEMA said.

The agency said rescue operations were still ongoing as of the time of the statement.

“Rescue operations are still ongoing as emergency responders continue to search through the debris to ascertain whether other victims remain trapped beneath the rubble,” it added.

The operation is being coordinated by NEMA in collaboration with the Enugu State Emergency Management Agency, the Nigeria Police Force, the Enugu State Fire and Rescue Service, the Enugu State Capital Territory Development Authority and the Enugu State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure.

Saheed is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over two years of experience covering metro, technology, sports, politics, and human-interest stories. He focuses on producing clear, engaging reports across diverse beats. Saheed’s work reflects hands-on newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate and balanced journalism.

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