The death toll from the school building that collapsed on Sunday night on Islamic pupils in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State has risen to 10.

The North-central Zonal Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Muhammad Abdulsalam said: “Four children died on the spot, while 25 others sustained injuries and were taken to the specialist hospital but one other person died later, increasing the number to five."

He added that “the Chief Medical Director of Plateau Specialist Hospital, Dr. Philemon Golwa, also confirmed that two other persons died at the hospital this (yesterday) morning”.

Meanwhile, Mohammad, who spoke on her hospital bed at the state specialist hospital, said: “We were in class on Sunday evening reciting the Quran when we heard a loud noise and the next thing I knew was that I found myself on this hospital bed. My waist is broken and my legs ache.”

Mrs. Zuwabia Ibrahim, mother of another victim, said her daughter Amina Ibrahim also 10 years old, left home at about 5 pm on Sunday to attend Quranic lessons not too far from her house in Bukuru.

“About two hours later, we got a call from our friend that Amina’s school had collapsed on her. I immediately called my husband and we rushed to the scene and was told that our daughter was alive but badly injured and had been rushed to the hospital. I thank Allah for saving her life,” she added.

A teacher, who survived the incident, Mallam Useni Ibrahim, described it as very sad, adding that the building was an uncompleted structure that was used as an Islamic school. He also confirmed that some teachers were among the dead.

After the incident, the state governor, Mr Simon Lalong, yesterday commiserated with the families of the deceased.

The governor in a statement signed by his Director of Press Affairs, Mr. Emmauel Nanle, said: “I have  received with a heavy heart the news of the collapse of the Abu-Ni’ima Islamiyya School, Gyero junction, Bukuru on Islamic disciples on Quranic training, resulting in the death of some students on the spot and 24 others injured, who were rushed to the Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Plateau Specialist Hospital, and Sunnah Hospital all in Jos for immediate medical attention.

“In response to the emergency, the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the Nigeria Police and government officials, acting on the instruction of the governor, immediately mobilised to site to ensure the immediate evacuation of any person or persons likely to have been trapped in the debris.

“The governor expresses deep concern for this loss of lives which brings to bear the necessity to ensure that buildings conform to building standards and the need for them to be certified fit to accommodate students in training.

“In this wise, the governor has directed all agencies of government saddled with the responsibility of ensuring that all public buildings, particularly schools are fit for use, to be up and doing in ensuring the safety of these structures.”