Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, in collaboration with other emergency response agencies, have rescued a man who was trapped for almost ten hours under the rubble of a collapsed three-storey building in the Life Camp area of Abuja.
The incident occurred on the evening of Saturday, August 2, 2025. In a statement released on Sunday, the spokesperson for the FCT Police Command, Superintendent of Police (SP) Josephine Adeh, identified the rescued individual as 27-year-old Aliyu Salisu, a national of the Republic of Niger. According to her, Salisu was trapped beneath the collapsed structure for several hours before being rescued alive in the early hours of the following day.
The distress call regarding the collapse was received by the police at approximately 6:15 p.m. on Saturday. Immediately, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Life Camp Division mobilized officers to the scene, where they promptly secured the area and initiated a full-scale search and rescue operation.
The rescue efforts were not carried out by the police alone. Several emergency and construction agencies joined forces in a concerted effort to save the victim. Among them were officials from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), personnel from the Development Control Department of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), and staff from leading construction firms—Zeberced and Julius Berger.
Multi-agency patrol and enforcement teams also lent their support, ensuring security and logistical coordination throughout the operation.
The operation, which extended through the night, required careful maneuvering and precision to prevent further injury to the victim. After several hours of intensive labor, rescue teams successfully pulled Salisu out from the debris at around 4:00 a.m. on Sunday, August 3.
He was immediately transported by emergency medical personnel to Cedar Crest Hospital in Gudu for urgent medical attention. Medical sources at the facility confirmed that he is currently in stable condition and responding well to treatment.
Commissioner of Police, CP Ajao Adewale, personally supervised the rescue operation from start to finish. He praised the courage, dedication, and professionalism demonstrated by all the agencies involved in the successful mission.
According to him, the quick deployment of resources, effective coordination, and unwavering commitment of the rescue teams played a critical role in ensuring that the victim was pulled out alive.
CP Adewale further used the opportunity to emphasize the importance of enforcing safety standards in building construction to prevent avoidable tragedies of this nature.
He also issued a public appeal to residents of the Federal Capital Territory to remain vigilant and to report any structural abnormalities, emergencies, or suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities without delay.
The FCT Police Command reassured the public of its commitment to protecting lives and property while continuing to work closely with other stakeholders to enhance public safety, emergency preparedness, and effective response across the territory.