BEVERLY HILLS, December 10, (THEWILL) – A church building located along Uyo Village Road in Akwa Ibom state capital, on Saturday, collapsed during the consecration of its pastor as a Bishop, leaving many worshippers trapped.
The Reigners Bible Church, was filled to capacity when the disaster occurred, witnesses said. The exact number of casualties remained unclear into Saturday night but media reports have quoted figures between 20 and 200.
Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State said he was present at the church when it collapsed saying, he “personally supervised rescue operations and evacuation of the injured to the hospital”.
In a press statement signed by Personal Assistant to Governor for Information, Mr. Ekerette Udoh, said the government will constitute a high-powered panel of enquiry to “ascertain the immediate and remote factors leading to the collapse of the church building.”
The governor also commiserated with the families of the victims, saying the government will undertake the treatment of the injured.
The statement said, “The Government of Akwa Ibom State has commiserated with the families of the victims of the collapsed building at Reigners Bible Church International along Uyo Village road.
“His Excellency, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Udom Emmanuel was present at the church service during the incident and thereafter personally supervised rescue operations and evacuation of the injured to the hospital. The State Government will undertake the medical treatment of the victims.
“A high- Powered panel of enquiry is being constituted to ascertain the immediate and remote factors leading to the collapse of the church building with a view to forestall the re-occurrence of such incident and bring to book persons found to have compromised professional standards in the construction of the building.”
President Buhari Saddened By Accident
President Muhammadu Buhari Saturday commiserated with Akwa-Ibomites, families of the bereaved and those injured in the accident.
The President expressed his condolences, telling “the Governor and the People of Akwa Ibom State, the deep sorrow of his family, the government and the entire people of Nigeria over the many deaths and injury recorded following the incident,” presidential spokesman Garba Shehu said in a statement.
A similar event occurred in September last year in a Lagos church compound operated by Evangelist T.B. Joshua, when a multi-floor building collapsed killing at least 115 persons including 84 visiting South Africans worshippers.
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