Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged governments at all levels to prioritise the approval and supervision of buildings to prevent a recurrence of Friday’s school building collapse in Jos, Plateau State.

Atiku gave the charge in the wake of the collapse of the two-storey building of Saints Academy, a secondary school in Busa Buji, Jos North.

The Plateau Commissioner for Information and Communication, Musa Ashoms, confirmed that about 200 students were trapped in the collapsed building.

Reacting, Atiku described the incident as tragic and heartrending.

The 2023 presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) commiserated with those who lost loved ones in the incident.

“I am devastated by the tragic collapse of the two-storey secondary school building in the Busa-Buji area of Jos North Local Government Area, Plateau State, which claimed the lives of innocent students.

“It is even more heartrending that these students were writing exams when the disaster struck.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those who have lost their loved ones.”

Atiku charged government at all levels to to step up their building control functions to prevent a recurrence.

“As we grieve the loss of these precious children, let this tragedy serve as a stark reminder for governments at all levels to prioritise the approval and supervision of buildings to ensure their safety and integrity.

“A thorough investigation must be conducted, and those responsible are held fully accountable under the law,” he said.