The Plateau State Government has confirmed the deaths of 22 individuals and injuries to 132 others following the collapse of a school building in Jos.

Commissioner for Information, Mr. Musa Ashoms, reported that six of the injured are in critical condition.

The injured are receiving treatment in various tertiary health facilities in the state, while the bodies of the deceased have been deposited in mortuaries.

Shegzeblog earlier reported that the two-storey building of Saints Academy, a secondary and primary school in the Busa-Buji community of Jos North Local Area, collapsed, trapping students, teachers, and others inside.

The incident occurred around 8:30 a.m. on Friday, as students were taking their third-term exams.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau described the incident as a monumental loss for the state. In a statement issued by Mr. Gyang Bere, his Director of Press and Public Affairs, the governor expressed sympathy for the affected families, calling the event tragic, heart-wrenching, and unfortunate.

"We appreciate the timely intervention of the search and rescue team, as well as members of the public who rushed to the school premises to assist in evacuating some of the surviving students and staff," Mutfwang said. He has directed relevant government agencies, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Plateau State Emergency Management Agency, to provide necessary support to the survivors.

"Words cannot fully comfort the grieving families over their immense loss, so we pray that God will continue to console and uphold them during this difficult period," Mutfwang added.

Highlighting the importance of Executive Order 003, recently signed into law, Mutfwang explained that its purpose is to prevent such disasters and ensure compliance with building regulations as part of the Greater Jos Master Plan.