Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has ordered the immediate closure of a school in Busa Buji, Jos North Local Government Area, following the collapse of a building that killed 22 people and injured 132 others.
The collapse occurred while students were in class on Friday. Governor Mutfwang, who visited the scene, emphasized the need to prioritize safety over profit in private schools. “The motive for profit must not overshadow the safety of lives,” he stated, announcing plans for a technical audit of all schools to ensure structural integrity.
As of 6:00 pm on Friday, 154 people had been rescued from the debris. The injured are receiving treatment at various hospitals in Jos, with the government directing hospitals to prioritize their care regardless of documentation or payment.
The collapsed two-story structure, which housed about 200 of the school’s 400 students, did not meet building standards. Commissioner for Information and Communication Musa Ashoms urged schools with similar structural issues to shut down in the interest of public safety.
