‘How Students Were Saved During WAEC Hall Collapse’

The principal of the school, Mrs. Watsi Danjuma, recounted how a potential tragedy was narrowly avoided due to the vigilance of a teacher.

"One of our teachers noticed that the ceiling was beginning to give way and immediately raised the alarm. That quick action saved lives," she said.

She added that a prior postponement of the exam also helped minimize the number of students inside the building at the time of the collapse.

"If all the students had been in the hall, it would have been a completely different story. Thankfully, most of them were on the veranda when the structure gave way."

Despite efforts to flee, some students and staff were struck by falling debris and sustained injuries. Due to limited medical facilities in Namnai, some of the injured were referred to the General Hospital in Mutumbiyu, headquarters of Gassol Local Government Area. All have since been treated and discharged.

"We thank God that no lives were lost. All the injured were treated and discharged, and many students were able to resume their exams even on the same day the incident happened," Mrs. Danjuma said.

The community and school authorities are now urgently calling on the Taraba State Government, Ministry of Education, and emergency agencies to intervene and renovate or rebuild the damaged school infrastructure before another disaster strikes.

"We cannot afford to wait until lives are lost," a local education official said. "The government must act now."