A four-storey uncompleted building collapsed in the Independence Layout area of Enugu State at approximately 6am on Sunday, September 13, 2026, resulting in one confirmed death and prompting an ongoing joint rescue operation.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirmed the incident in an official statement signed by its Press Unit spokesperson, Manzo Ezekiel, and published on the agency's X handle. According to the statement, the agency's Director-General, Mrs Zubaida Umar, immediately directed the Enugu Operations Office to deploy an Emergency Rescue Team to the scene upon learning of the collapse.
Rescue Teams Mobilise to Clear Debris and Locate Victims
Upon arrival, the rescue team was informed that several people remained trapped beneath the rubble. Responders immediately commenced search and rescue operations, bringing in an excavator to assist in clearing the debris and facilitate the difficult removal process.
"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 in the statement. The agency confirmed that rescue efforts were still underway at the time the statement was issued, with teams continuing to search for any additional victims who may still be trapped.
Joint Operation Involves Multiple Agencies
The rescue operation is being coordinated jointly by NEMA alongside several other bodies, including 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.
"Rescue operations are still ongoing as emergency responders continue to search through the debris to ascertain whether other victims remain trapped beneath the rubble," the agency added.
Recent Building Collapse in Abuja Raises Concerns
This incident follows a similar building collapse in Wuse Zone 3, Abuja, which occurred on Monday evening and triggered an emergency response from multiple federal and FCT agencies. The Abuja incident took place on Abidjan Street, and preliminary findings revealed that the structure had been flagged and sealed by authorities before it came down.
The Enugu rescue teams remain on site, and further updates are expected as the search operation continues.
