Abuja, July 13: A two-storey school in north-central Nigeria collapsed during morning classes on Friday, trapping about 120 students and teachers. Local reports indicate 12 deaths, though official numbers are yet to be confirmed.

The collapse occurred at Saints Academy College in Plateau state’s Busa Buji community. Channels Television reported that 26 people are being treated at a nearby hospital.

Rescue and health workers, along with security forces, have been deployed. “Approximately 120 people were trapped, with many evacuated,” said Plateau Commissioner for Information Musa Ashoms. Hospitals have been instructed to prioritize treatment without requiring documentation or payment.

The state government blamed the collapse on the school’s weak structure and its location near a riverbank, advising similarly situated schools to close.

Villagers gathered near the site, some weeping and others offering help, as excavators searched the debris. Building collapses are becoming more common in Nigeria, often due to poor enforcement of safety regulations and inadequate maintenance.