Contractor In Police Custody Over Kano Building Collapse

KANO State Police Command arrested the contractor handling the three storey building that collapsed last Friday in Kano.

The National Emergency Management Agency ( NEMA) confirmed three persons dead while two sustained critical injuries during the ugly incident that occurred at Kuntau quarters in Gwale Local Council of the state. A statement yesterday by the spokesperson of the police command, Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, said interim investigation shows lack of quality in the building texture may have been responsible for the incidence.

The police disclosed that findings also revealed that the property owner did not possess necessary statutory approvals from the government for the construction of the collapsed structure. According to the police, the actions of the contractor and property owner violated the extant laws of the state and indicated deliberate noncompliance with building regulations.

The statement said the Commissioner of Police, Kano State Command, CP Mohammed Usaini Gumel, has directed the immediate deployment of the command’s tactical teams to secure the scene, rescue the victims and liaise with the relevant emergency workers, other security agencies personnel, including Kano State Urban Planning and Development Authority ( KNUPDA), to take full control.

He explained further: “On 26/ 04/ 2024 at about 10am, the State Police Command’s emergency lines responded to the distress call on the pathetic incident of a twostorey building under construction at Kuntau area of Gwale LGA, Kano State, that had collapsed and some workers got trapped.

“There was rapid response by the rescue teams and security teams that swung into action that led to recovery of five victims out of the debris, who were rushed to Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital, Kano.

“Unfortunately, three bodies were certified dead by the on- call pathologist while those with life- threatening injuries were admitted and are currently responding to treatment.

The police command assured the public that at the conclusion of its investigation, the property owner would be charged to court for prosecution for justice to be served.

The command urged the public not to hesitate to promptly report any incident to enable emergency and rescue workers swing into action immediately to save lives.