A devastating tragedy has shaken the town of Potiskum, Yobe State, as a school building at the Government Girls Science Technical College along Gombe Road suddenly collapsed during school hours. The collapse, which occurred on Thursday, left several students injured and claimed the life of one young girl, sending shockwaves through the community.
The Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) reported that the structure gave way without warning, sending debris crashing down on students in the middle of their lessons. Witnesses described moments of sheer panic as teachers and students scrambled to rescue those trapped beneath the rubble.
One student, who narrowly escaped, recounted the terrifying moment: “We heard a loud crack, and before we knew it, everything came crashing down. We ran for our lives, but some of our classmates weren’t so lucky.”
In the aftermath, frantic efforts were made to rush the injured students to the Specialist Hospital Potiskum, where they are currently receiving medical care. Doctors and nurses worked tirelessly to stabilize the wounded, while families anxiously awaited news of their loved ones.
Authorities swiftly responded to the emergency. The Commissioner of Basic and Secondary Education, Professor Abba Adam, and the Executive Secretary of the Yobe State Science and Technical Education Board, Dr. Dauda Atiyaye, visited both the site of the collapse and the hospital. They assured the public that a thorough investigation would be conducted to determine the cause of the tragedy.
Preliminary reports suggest that poor maintenance and structural weaknesses may have contributed to the collapse, raising serious concerns about the safety of school buildings in the state. While the government has yet to release an official statement, many parents and educators are demanding urgent measures to prevent such disasters in the future.
A grieving mother at the scene wept as she spoke about the dangers students face daily. “We send our children to school, expecting them to be safe. Now, one of them is gone. This is a nightmare no parent should endure.”
According to reports, the deceased student had been standing under the veranda when the roof gave way, fatally striking her. The news has cast a dark cloud over the school and the entire Potiskum community.
The incident occurred about 100 kilometers from Damaturu, the state capital. As investigations continue, government officials have vowed to conduct integrity tests on school structures across the state to prevent another catastrophe.
For now, the town mourns a young life lost too soon, and a community waits for answers—hoping that this tragedy will serve as a wake-up call to prioritize the safety of students in schools nationwide.
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